Melania Trump's RNC speech plagiarizes Michelle Obama's 2008 convention address

On the opening night of the 2016 Republican National Convention, Melania Trump delivered a primetime speech that included two passages lifted nearly word-for-word from Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic convention speech. The plagiarized sections focused on values and work ethic. The Trump campaign initially denied any wrongdoing, with campaign chairman Paul Manafort insisting the issue was "totally blown out of proportion" and various surrogates making bizarre defenses comparing the speech to My Little Pony. After two days of mockery and media scrutiny, speechwriter Meredith McIver finally took responsibility, admitting she had incorporated Michelle Obama's words without proper attribution. The episode exemplified the campaign's chaotic management, reflexive dishonesty, and inability to admit mistakes.

"This was my mistake and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant." — July 20, 2016 statement from speechwriter Meredith McIver accepting responsibility for plagiarizing Michelle Obama's 2008 speech in Melania Trump's RNC address