Campaign denies plagiarism in Melania Trump speech at RNC
After the wife of the GOP candidate spoke in a televised address, many noted that whole sections of text echoed Michelle Obama’s 2008 convention address. Social media went wild.
In marketing, imitation campaigns are often seen as forms of flattery.
In speechwriting and public speaking, lifting the words from another source is called plagiarism.
Accusations of “cribbing,” “plagiarism” and “word stealing” were flying within minutes after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s wife, Melania, spoke Monday night at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
From Time:
A passage Trump read about her upbringing borrowed heavily from the structure and phrasing used by Michelle Obama in her 2008 convention speech.
“They’re nearly identical,” wrote former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau, in response. “Somebody is seriously fired.”
Journalist Jarret Hill tweeted the initial accusation, which opened the floodgates online:
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