Melania Trump, wife of Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, waves as she arrives to speak at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. July 18, 2016.
Melania Trump waves as she arrives to speak at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. July 18, 2016. Reuters/Mike Segar

Donald Trump’s wife has apparently plagiarised the speech of US President Barack Obama’s wife. Melania Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday bears noticeable similarity to the one given by First Lady Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

Journalist Jarrett Hill first pointed out the similarities between the two speeches. He highlighted the lines included in Melania’s talk that were basically Michelle’s.

Melania must’ve liked Michelle Obama’s 2008 Convention speech, since she plagiarized it.#GOPConvention #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/vGmsG9KFx3

Here’s Michelle’s speech from 2008:

“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.

“And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generation. 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 for them.”
Melania’s speech has slight variation to it, personalising her lines rather than including Trump as Michelle included Obama.

“From a young age, 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. They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily life.

“That is a lesson 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 is the only limits to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.”

It’s unclear if Melania did indeed copy Michelle’s speech, though a few days before the Republican convention, she told TV journalist Matt Lauer that she wrote the speech “with as little help as possible.”

Following the understanding that Melania plagiarised the Michelle’s lines, social media commenters have started tweeting the hashtag #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes, attributing famous lines from other people to the wannabe US first lady.

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