BBC Online :
Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, took centre stage on the first day of the Republican National Convention but faced accusations that a portion of her speech plagiarised Michelle Obama.
Commentators noticed similarities with Mrs Obama’s 2008 convention speech.
Mrs Trump’s speech also praised her husband as a “compassionate” man who would “fight for the country”.
But Mr Trump’s team said Mrs Trump used “common words” and blamed Hillary Clinton for the row.
“There’s no cribbing of Michelle Obama’s speech,” said Paul Manafort, Mr Trump’s campaign manager.
“I mean, this is, once again, an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, how she seeks out to demean her and take her down,” he added.
It was Mrs Trump’s first speech of the campaign and she had the help of a speechwriting team.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus he did not blame Mrs Trump, but added he would “probably” fire the speechwriter over the controversy. Earlier, Mr Trump’s communications adviser Jason Miller issued a statement saying a “team of writers” used her life’s “inspirations” as source material.
Meanwhile Mr Trump himself described her speech as “absolutely incredible”.
In a section, Mrs Trump said: “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.” Mrs Obama’s speech in 2008 carried the lines: “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.” Mrs Trump’s speech continued: “[My parents] taught me to show the values and morals in my daily life. That is the 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.”
Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, took centre stage on the first day of the Republican National Convention but faced accusations that a portion of her speech plagiarised Michelle Obama.
Commentators noticed similarities with Mrs Obama’s 2008 convention speech.
Mrs Trump’s speech also praised her husband as a “compassionate” man who would “fight for the country”.
But Mr Trump’s team said Mrs Trump used “common words” and blamed Hillary Clinton for the row.
“There’s no cribbing of Michelle Obama’s speech,” said Paul Manafort, Mr Trump’s campaign manager.
“I mean, this is, once again, an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, how she seeks out to demean her and take her down,” he added.
It was Mrs Trump’s first speech of the campaign and she had the help of a speechwriting team.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus he did not blame Mrs Trump, but added he would “probably” fire the speechwriter over the controversy. Earlier, Mr Trump’s communications adviser Jason Miller issued a statement saying a “team of writers” used her life’s “inspirations” as source material.
Meanwhile Mr Trump himself described her speech as “absolutely incredible”.
In a section, Mrs Trump said: “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.” Mrs Obama’s speech in 2008 carried the lines: “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.” Mrs Trump’s speech continued: “[My parents] taught me to show the values and morals in my daily life. That is the 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.”
