Speech writer Meredith McIver takes blame for Melania Trump plagiarism
Meredith McIver never heard the words “You’re fired.”
The in-house staff writer for the Trump Organization publicly acknowledged that she is the one who cribbed parts of a Michelle Obama speech for Melania Trump’s convention speech this week.
In a written letter McIver said she offered to resign but Donald Trump told her that “people make innocent mistakes” and learn from them.
The Trump camp, which had spent two days denying plagiarism claims, did not accept her resignation.
Twitter, however, was not so kind. The court of public opinion was brutal.
Meredith McIver baby photos: pic.twitter.com/soixHkjydM
— Kick (@MatthewKick) July 20, 2016
.@KimKardashian Please release your footage of Michelle Obama giving Meredith McIver permission to plagiarize her speech
— Eli Braden (@EliBraden) July 20, 2016
Anagrams for Meredith McIver. I like "Victim her, me red." pic.twitter.com/hfhX0dDgrC
— Crutnacker (@Crutnacker) July 20, 2016
I know you're not the best writer, Meredith McIver, so I fixed a few things: pic.twitter.com/pim2WHi976
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) July 20, 2016
I don't know, we all could use a Meredith McIver in our lives. Boss: What happened to your report Me: Meredith McIver ate it
— Hi-nanobot (@NanobotHi) July 20, 2016
Very quickly, conspiracy theories popped up. Is Meredith McIver even a real person? News outlets scrambled with their research.
Time offered that McIver has co-authored several books with Trump, including his best-seller “Trump: How to Get Rich.”
The New York Times reported that she is a former ballet dancer and English major.
The New York Daily News revealed that she is a registered Democrat.
But Twitter was unconvinced.
BREAKING: Trump campaign brings in Clint Eastwood to talk to Meredith McIver about ethics. pic.twitter.com/rm54JgbaQs
— Brian J. White (@talkwordy) July 20, 2016
Meredith McIver? pic.twitter.com/oEn1hhlB7t
— Paul Ludwig (@paulludwig) July 20, 2016
BREAKING: Trump campaign says Meredith McIver will be available for interviews "as soon as we finish building her" #RNCinCLE
— Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) July 20, 2016
Meredith McIver found pic.twitter.com/BDaCnGFWnG
— George D. (@xdelmar59) July 20, 2016
For those wondering if Meredith McIver is a real person, here's her pic. pic.twitter.com/VAmJcCn1l8
— PoliticalGroove (@PoliticalGroove) July 20, 2016
So, I've been trying to find any evidence that Meredith McIver existed before today. Anyone got anything for me?
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) July 20, 2016
BREAKING NEWS: First released and authenticated picture of Meredith McIver #MeredithMcIver pic.twitter.com/uT95dkeV3J
— Danielle Lile (@lileAmile) July 20, 2016
@Green_Footballs No public search hits on Intelius of a Meredith McIver who works for Trump related companies. Odd, huh?
— Tim Mullin (@tmullin22) July 20, 2016
We need to see video of Meredith McIver with a neutral party that can claim she is not a hologram.
— Fat chick in LA (@FatChickinLA) July 20, 2016
Simple solution - get the One Direction fans who investigated Louis Tomlinson's baby to find Meredith McIver. https://t.co/2ZziEGejcA
— Christiana A Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) July 20, 2016
Think there's like a 20% chance Meredith McIver is Man Ti Teo's girlfriend.
— Greg Pinelo (@gregpinelo) July 20, 2016
Please let "Meredith McIver" be a made-up person. Please let "Meredith McIver" be a made-up person. Please let "Meredith McIver" be a made-u
— Robert Silverman (@BobSaietta) July 20, 2016
@goldengateblond I think I found her...Meredith McIver. pic.twitter.com/KfmgV8Dba4
— Jeannie Slater (@JBethSlater) July 20, 2016
Who is Meredith McIver? pic.twitter.com/JpTFjJ40f6
— Matt Murphy (@MattMurph24) July 20, 2016
Meredith McIver, self portrait. pic.twitter.com/DuXv3lMkyz
— BiglyPookie (@it_itt) July 20, 2016
Stop with the conspiracy theories! I just snapped a pic of Meredith McIver. Geeesh! pic.twitter.com/fHCwLUek7x
— Tamara McDaniel (@TeeCLMcDee) July 20, 2016
Meet Meredith McIver. pic.twitter.com/4y4MysxFJ0
— Kick (@MatthewKick) July 20, 2016
This story was originally published July 20, 2016 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Speech writer Meredith McIver takes blame for Melania Trump plagiarism."