Melania Trump, wife of the Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump, has come under heavy criticism for allegedly plagiarizing the US First Lady Michelle Obama in her first speech of the campaign at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last night.
Many, including journalists, have criticized her much-admired speech saying some parts of it appear to be a direct verbatim from Michelle Obama’s speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver.
Multiple lines about necessity of hard work and strong family values are nearly verbatim from Obama’s 2008 address, according to the Guardian.
Part of Mrs. Trump’s speech read:
“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 and keep your promise; that you treat people with respect.”
Part of Michelle Obama’s speech in 2008 read:
“And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life:” that your word is your bond and you do what you say you’re going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don’t know them, and even if you don’t agree with them.”
Everything went on well for Mrs. Trump keeping delegates on their feet and cheering wildly in approval from beginning to the end of the speech.
But a few hours later, twitter users begun to question the authenticity of her speech, with some terming it as absurd and unethical.
There is no way to defend Melania Trump’s plagiarism. That was absurd & unethical.
And no I’m not ‘sticking to sports.’ I have a vote, too.— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) July 19, 2016
Others were eager to hear what the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would say about his wife’s speech bloopers.
Waiting for @realDonaldTrump to say that #MichelleObama travelled to the future and actually plagiarized #MelaniaTrump in 2008
— Ryanne Allison (@TheGirlRyanne) July 19, 2016
Mr. Trump later took to twitter to congratulate his wife saying her speech was “absolutely incredible.”
Speaking to the Guardian today, an unnamed source on Trump’s campaign team said the blame was on Rick Gates, Trump’s top strategist who reportedly signed off on the speech and edited it.
