Was Melania Trump’s Republican convention speech copied from a Michelle Obama speech?
Melania Trump had her moment in the sun Monday night at the Republican National Convention.
And then the night evaporated into controversy.
She graduated from a “he’s not Hitler” defense of her husband, Donald Trump, to making a warm pitch that “he’s the guy” to lead the land.
She made no misstep delivering a speech she reportedly worked on for weeks. TV talking heads were kind to her.
But after the speech, journalist Jarrett Hill tweeted that he had found similarities between her speech and the one that Michelle Obama gave at the 2008 Democratic National Convention:
Melania must’ve liked Michelle Obama’s 2008 Convention speech, since she plagiarized it.#GOPConvention #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/vGmsG9KFx3
— Jarrett Hill (@JarrettHill) July 19, 2016
TV pundits scrambled to give Melania Trump the benefit of the doubt without outright calling it plagiarism. But the daggers came out quickly on social media.
Melania Trump will respond to the plagiarism scandal after she puts her kids Sasha and Malia to bed.
— Jeremy Hooper (@goodasyou) July 19, 2016
Michelle Obamas speech was so good that Melania Trumps speech was completely Plagerized from it #familyfraud &crooks pic.twitter.com/AewFkOt4oR
— Vet Knowledge (@MarMarcia3) July 19, 2016
Not only is Melania trash for this, but the whole Trump staff should be ashamed. It's 2016. How would we not notice? https://t.co/m016g2qnBs
— Jay Holz (@JayHolz410) July 19, 2016
Surely Melania herself did not set out to plagiarize Michelle Obama!! What speech writer did the plagiarizing? MSNBC reporting.
— Anne Rice (@AnneRiceAuthor) July 19, 2016
She is a victim of an errant speech-writer. She is not the cause. (#ImWithHer but I know Melania was NOT at fault!) https://t.co/ojb9YNR27b
— Jann Gobble (@jgobble) July 19, 2016
LOL Melania Trump plagiarized @FLOTUS's speech at the #RNCinCLE… those mail order brides man… Pathetic… pic.twitter.com/ukmmkgKrMr
— Sāvion (@SavionWright) July 19, 2016
Trump detractors had been locked and loaded for Melania Trump before she even hit town.
I can't wait for Melania Trump's speech, it's going to be like an uninterrupted Real Housewife testimonial
— Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) July 18, 2016
Melania Trump comparing herself to Jackie Kennedy, excuse me while I go vomit!
— philip harris (@pharris830) July 18, 2016
#MelaniaTrump to speak at the #RNCinCLE in her thick accent about how her husband is going to build a wall to keep out people with accents.
— Girls Really Rule. (@girlsreallyrule) July 18, 2016
Tonight I will be at #RNCinCLE to introduce Melania! I want to reassure conservative Christians about my belief in traditional 3rd marriage.
— Donald J. Drumpf (@RealDonalDrumpf) July 18, 2016
How progressive to have an underwear model speak at the convention. Did he model with Melania?
— Colleen Hamilton (@Colleen_ham1) July 19, 2016
Antonio Sabato and Melania did it just like every immigrant. They were models and THEN became citizens. Why can't these Latinos do the same?
— Doug Agui (@DougLife7) July 19, 2016
Fans who applauded her speech wondered why the campaign has kept her on the downlow. They want more Melania.
RNC/Beautiful,intelligent Melania Trump gave a great speech. Future First Lady someone who will make USA proud! pic.twitter.com/VJvg2F7fVE
— Alicia (@cuqui0712) July 19, 2016
Melania did a good job. The best performance of the night was by a first generation immigrant. Very American.
— Alan Cross (@AlanLCross) July 19, 2016
Melania is the secret weapon. Even the CNN panel is fawning all over her.
— Ricky Vaughn (@Ricky_Vaughn99) July 19, 2016
Melania gave a GREAT speech. Really her first major speech on the national stage. Hopefully we'll see more of her.
— мя.єρι¢кιηg ツ (KB) (@KingBoo8884) July 19, 2016
Of course the haters are on Melania. She's everything they're not. She's a kind, hardworking, beautiful, conservative woman. Threatens them!
— AEV (@vandives) July 19, 2016
Have to admit Melania spoke beautifully , the Don may have a Trump Card there interesting months ahead . https://t.co/h2oXIXLVVv
— Peter McGee (@pmcgee7) July 19, 2016
So that's pretty blatant, right? pic.twitter.com/EPnHME7afV
— Mike Hearn (@mikehearn) July 19, 2016
Snark alert: Compared to her husband, she got the thumbs up.
Melania's speech more credible than any I've heard from Donald.
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) July 19, 2016
I am truly horrified by the amount of people in my own feed going, "Well, Melania seems decent. Maybe Donald isn't so bad."
— Kaye (Not Carmen) (@gildedspine) July 19, 2016
And the hits just kept on rolling.
It's cute watching Milania pretend to know who Bob Dole is #RNCinCLE
— Mariya Alexander (@MariyaAlexander) July 19, 2016
Third wife: "He will never give up." #RNCinCLE
— Ben Greenman (@bengreenman) July 19, 2016
Yes, he's intensely loyal to his 3rd wife and his children. #RNCinCLE
— Ⓚyⓛeⓝe (@KtotheY1980) July 19, 2016
Melania talking about Donald's "kindness." #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/EVmJ4hWQNn
— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) July 19, 2016
...I fell in love....He was rich.He was married.He was a philanderer.What a guy, Melania. #RNCinCLE
— Sue (@homenotalone) July 19, 2016
This is so fake and so pathetic I won't even bash Melania Trump for it. It just wouldn't be right. I'm gonna get drunk. Later. #RNCinCLE
— John (@linnyitssn) July 19, 2016
She left some people wanting more - as in they wanted to hear more warm and fuzzy personal anecdotes about her husband, which they thought she was supposed to deliver.
While Melania performed well, that speech could have been delivered by anyone. Missed opportunity to humanize him
— Bonnie Bruce (@BonnieBruce) July 19, 2016
Melania's speech was like a freshman essay full of unsubstantiated claims. I'd fill her margins with How so? Why? Do you have an example?
— (((Melinda))) (@dykademic) July 19, 2016
P.S. Sorry, folks. You probably can’t afford that dress.
@Bhold3531 The dress was from designer Roksanda, silk off white“Margot” dress. Retails for $2,190. I thought it was a Dior. Still not cheap!
— April S. (@speakout_april) July 19, 2016
Of course the haters are on Melania. She's everything they're not. She's a kind, hardworking, beautiful, conservative woman. Threatens them!
— AEV (@vandives) July 19, 2016
Have to admit Melania spoke beautifully , the Don may have a Trump Card there interesting months ahead . https://t.co/h2oXIXLVVv
— Peter McGee (@pmcgee7) July 19, 2016
Lisa Gutierrez: 816-234-4987, @lisaginkc
This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 10:40 PM with the headline "Was Melania Trump’s Republican convention speech copied from a Michelle Obama speech?."