Did Melania Trump plagiarize Michelle Obama in Republican convention speech?
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but it’s doubtful Melania Trump was looking to flatter Michelle Obama with her speech to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Monday night.
Twitter began buzzing soon after the 15-minute speech wrapped up, in which the potential future first lady praised her husband, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, for his tenacity: “If you want someone to fight for you and your country, I can assure you that he’s the guy,” she said.
Observers stacked her speech alongside one that first lady Michelle Obama made at the 2008 Democratic National Convention and found some striking similarities:
Melania Trump — Michelle Obama speech similarities
In another passage, Melania Trump said, “[W]e want our children — and all children in this nation — to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.”
While in Michelle Obama’s speech, the first lady said, “[W]e want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.”
Blame was quickly tossed at Melania Trump’s speechwriter:
“From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say,” said Melania Trump.
Virtually the same words were uttered by Michelle Obama in her 2008 speech.
“…Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values. You work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond that you do what you say you’re gonna do…”
On Wednesday, the Republican Party woke up to a cascade of finger-pointing and confusion on Tuesday as the Trump campaign was rocked by accusations that parts of Melania Trump’s convention speech had been cribbed from the one that Michelle Obama delivered to Democrats in 2008.
The possibility that Ms. Trump’s remarks had been plagiarized cast a cloud over the second day of the Republican National Convention and laid bare lingering tensions within the party surrounding the nomination of Donald J. Trump, whose campaign continues to be plagued by stumbles and infighting despite several reboots. – Newyork Times
Reactions on social media regarding, Donald Trump’s wife speech
More on the similarities between Melania Trump’s speech & Michelle Obama’s speech https://t.co/DsKbqBaV2e pic.twitter.com/Y5ldYzkxLm
— Javier Panzar (@jpanzar) July 19, 2016
Just ran Melania Trump and Michelle Obama’s speeches through an online plagiarism detector pic.twitter.com/30t7ruIaWt
— Andrew Losowsky (@losowsky) July 19, 2016
As a speechwriter, it’s okay to look to others for inspiration. Sometimes hard to avoid similar sounding speeches. You CAN’T just copy.
— Chrys Kefalas (@CKefalas) July 19, 2016
It was truly an honor to introduce my wife, Melania. Her speech and demeanor were absolutely incredible. Very proud! #GOPConvention
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2016
Trump campaign issues statement: pic.twitter.com/zgfOMmgGr3
— Robert Costa (@costareports) July 19, 2016
For Rick Astley fans, there was the Rickroll:
But to reiterate (and to paraphrase @tvoti), the real speechwriter’s scandal here is this ACTUAL RICKROLL?!?!?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/eSuFbbVs43
— mr. sonia (@soniasaraiya) July 19, 2016
And it wasn’t too long until the hashtag #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes took off:
“I call for a complete shutdown of speeches, until we figure out what the hell is going on.” #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes
— Upright Citizen (@NEPpundit) July 19, 2016
Girl you know its true, ooh ooh ooohh i love you… #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes #millivanilli pic.twitter.com/IryTUUDFh1
— Carin K (@thelovelymissCK) July 19, 2016
“Here is a photo of my family and I at home” #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes pic.twitter.com/hfPqBubt3u
— Brian Altano (@agentbizzle) July 19, 2016
Credit:Additional information MarketWatch.com
