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Melania Trump Plagiarizes Parts of Michelle Obama’s 2008 DNC Speech

HeadlineJul 19, 2016

Other speakers at the opening night of the RNC included former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn and Trump’s wife Melania Trump, whose speech appears to have plagiarized parts of first lady Michelle Obama’s speech from the 2008 Democratic National Convention. This clip comparing the two speeches begins with Michelle Obama.

Michelle Obama: “Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values, like you work hard for what you want in life.”

Melania Trump: “The values that you work hard for what you want in life.”

Michelle Obama: “That your word is your bond, that you do what you say you’re going to do.”

Melania Trump: “That your word is your bond, and you do what you say and keep your promise.”

Michelle Obama: “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 hard for them.”

Melania Trump: “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.”

Melania Trump in her speech Monday night at the RNC, and Michelle Obama in her speech at the DNC in 2008. In response to the allegations of plagiarism, Trump campaign chairperson Paul Manafort told CNN Melania Trump had not plagiarized Michelle Obama and that these were simply “common” words.

Chris Cuomo: “Who takes the fall for cribbing Michelle Obama’s speech in 2008? Whose fault is that?”

Paul Manafort: “Well, there’s no cribbing of Michelle Obama’s speech. These were common words and values, that she cares about her family, that—things like that. I mean, she was speaking in front of 35 million people last night. She knew that. To think that she would be cribbing Michelle Obama’s words is crazy. I mean, it’s so—I mean, this is, once again, an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, how she seeks to demean her and take her down.”

Meanwhile, the list of Republicans who are not coming to the convention in Cleveland is growing. Ohio Governor John Kasich has refused to endorse Donald Trump, and he has not shown up to the convention, even though it is in his own state. He is not expected to come at any point this week.

More than a dozen other Republican leaders have also decided to skip the RNC, including Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, who says he’s staying home because he’d rather mow his lawn, and Montana Senator Steve Daines who says he’s skipping the RNC because “It’s a good time to be fishing in Montana.”

Editor’s Note: The original headline inaccurately attributed the quote about fishing to Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL) who is also not attending the RNC. Also, Daines changed his mind and made a brief appearance at the RNC on Tuesday.

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