Melania Trump plagiarized Michelle Obama's convention speech.

Question

Melania Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention plagiarized Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention.

Answer 1

Former First Lady Melania Trump's 2016 speech at the opening night of the Republican National Convention bore similarities to former First Lady Michelle Obama’s remarks at the Democratic National Convention eight years prior, according to some news publications, figures and social media users. Several commented on their similar themes. The excerpt that some are calling plagiarism is listed below as well as Obama’s own speech. Each was grabbed from USA Today. 

An excerpt from Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention

"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.

And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and to pass them on to the next generation. Because we 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."

An excerpt from Melania Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention

“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 and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect.

They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily lives. That is a lesson that I continue to pass along to our son. And we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. Because we 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.”

USA Today wrote that though Trump’s speech was not “verbatim,” they had “similar wording, construction and themes.” Reince Priebu, who served as Republican National Committee Chairman at the time of the scandal, said that he would likely fire a speechwriter who had committed plagiarism during a sit down at a Bloomberg Politics Breakfast. “The distraction gets you off message a little,” he continued. However, he said that he not reserve any judgment toward Mrs. Trump herself. 

The debacle drew jokes across social media, where users including actors Jesse Williams and Alyssa Milano used the hashtag #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes and attributed well-known historical quotes to her. 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/07/19/melania-trump-republican-convention-speech-plagiarism/87278088/

https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-07-19/priebus-says-melania-trump-not-to-blame-for-speech-s-obama-parallels?embedded-checkout=true

https://www.newsweek.com/melania-trumps-plagiarism-charges-inspire-tweets-481857

Answer 2

This claim is true, while she did not plagiarize the whole speech. In a statement from the Trump campaign, staff writer Meredith McIver accepted responsibility using some of Michelle Obama's words in the speech. McIver explained that she "always liked" Obama and wrote down some of the material from her 2008 speech. "This was my mistake and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant," wrote McIver. Reported by the New York Times, speechwriters Matthew Scully and John McConnell wrote a draft for Melania Trump a month prior, but she turned it down because she was "uncomfortable" with the text.

Answer 3

This would be considered misinformation. While it is true that Melania's speech writer took inspiration from a speech of Michelle Obama, Melania herself did not plagiarize Obama. Meredith McIver, the speech writer of Mrs Trump put out a statement "This was my mistake and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant,".  She also explained that she offered her resignation to Donald Trump but was denied and is still part of his staff.