Monday was Melania Trump's night at the GOP convention and the speech she delivered about her husband was well received until it was noted that several passages sounded familiar: They were lifted from Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic convention speech about her husband.
#DearRepublicans... #Really!?! #DonaldTrump #RNC With all those Billions you can't write her, her own speech? SMH. pic.twitter.com/fqlQ1EGaL2
-- Brian White (@actorbrianwhite) July 19, 2016
Melania Trump told reporters earlier that she had written much of the speech, but she had some professional help. Why would a professional steal direct passages from Michelle Obama's famous address? Did they really think no one would notice? Was she set up by someone who wanted to embarrass her?
Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort told CNN's Chris Coumo there was no theft. "There's no cribbing of Michelle Obama's speech. These were common words and values that she cares about her family and things like that. I mean, she was speaking in front of 35 million people last night, she knew that," Manafort said.
Trump spokesman Jason Miller issued a short statement late Monday night, but it did not directly address the plagiarism accusation. "In writing her beautiful speech, Melania's team of writers took notes on her life's inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking. Melania's immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech, which made it such a success."
Donald Trump did not personally respond, except to tweet that he was proud of her.
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
Speaking of Twitter. #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes quickly became a trending hashtag.
"I'm slim shady yes I'm the real shady all you other slim shadys are just imitating."#FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes
-- Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) July 19, 2016
"I dip, you dip, we dip." #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes
-- Alexander Hardy (@chrisalexander_) July 19, 2016
My daddy Alabama, momma Louisiana, you mix that negro w/that Creole make a Texas bama. #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes pic.twitter.com/ovw4G1hWuz
-- Crystal (@YesSheWrites) July 19, 2016
"As I leave, believe I'm stompin'.
-- Doug Farrar (@BR_DougFarrar) July 19, 2016
But when I come back, boy, I'm comin' straight outta Compton." -- #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes
"Don't go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to." #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes
-- Kirsten West Savali (@KWestSavali) July 19, 2016
"Four score & seven years ago.." #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes
-- Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) July 19, 2016
"I, too, know what it's like to live in south side Chicago"#FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes😩😂😂😂😂😭 pic.twitter.com/PrPQxeqqC5
-- Azania Justice (@AzaniaJustice) July 19, 2016
"In west Philadelphia born and raised. On the playground where I spent most of my days" #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes
-- Gabby Seay (@GabbySeay) July 19, 2016
