Skip to content

Manafort Denies Melania Cribbed Michelle Obama’s Speech

Trump campaign chairman blames Hillary Clinton for stirring up story


 

Melania Trump used, “common words and values,” in a Republican National Convention speech that paralleled remarks by Michelle Obama in 2008, and to think that the address was plagiarized is “crazy,” Trump campaign Chairman Paul Manafort said Tuesday morning.  

“There’s no cribbing Michelle Obama’s speech,” Manafort told CNN. “These are common words and values, that she cares about her family. 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 Michele Obama’s words is crazy.”  

[

Melania Trump Plagiarism Storm Shakes Up Convention

]  

The story has dominated coverage of the first day of the Cleveland convention and overshadowed one of Melania Trump’s first major speaking appearances.  

The wife of the presumptive Republican nominee was initially praised for her poise and delivery, but the response quickly shifted when several commentators pointed out that whole passages of Melania Trump’s address, the headline event of the convention’s opening night, echoed those in Michelle Obama’s speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.  

Donald Trump, famous for toppling heads on his reality show, has no plans to fire anyone this time, Manafort said.  

“Who takes the fall for cribbing Michele Obama’s speech in 2008?” CNN anchor Chris Cuomo asked. “Who’s fault is that?”  

[

‘Mind If I Borrow That?’ Long History of Political Plagiarism

]  

Manafort said the passages were not lifted and suggested the criticism was planted by presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.  

“This is once again an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, she seeks out through demeanor and to take her down. It’s not going to work,” he said. 


Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone or your Android.

Recent Stories

New Jersey Democrats urge Menendez to resign after indictment

Photos of the week ending September 22, 2023

Dressing down — Congressional Hits and Misses

Menendez indictment comes with Democrats playing 2024 defense

Sen. Bob Menendez and wife indicted on federal bribery charges

Hill worries mount about delays in arming Ukraine