Melania Trump's RNC speech stirs plagiarism accusations

AP logo
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Melania Trump speech stirs plagiarism accusations
The wife of Donald Trump delivered a well-received but controversial speech because it mirrors Michelle Obama's first DNC speech

CLEVELAND, OH -- Melania Trump's well-received speech Monday to the Republican National Convention contains two passages that match nearly word-for-word the speech that first lady Michelle Obama delivered in 2008 at the Democratic National Convention.

Melania Trump's speech is the talk of the day on social media and beyond over plagiarism accusations

RELATED: Melania Trump ignites GOP convention after gloom, turmoil

Melania Trump is the highlight of RNC's first night

The passages in question focus on lessons that Donald Trump's wife says she learned from her parents and the relevance of their lessons in her experience as a mother.

They came near the beginning of her roughly 10-minute speech. Mrs. Trump's address was otherwise distinct from the address that Mrs. Obama gave when then-Sen. Barack Obama was being nominated for president.

RELATED: This is Donald Trump's (very) grand entrance to the RNC in Cleveland

Watch Donald Trump's grand entrance to "We are the Champions" at the RNC in Cleveland.

Trump's campaign had no immediate reaction when asked about the similarities in the two speeches. White House officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment late Monday evening.

For full RNC coverage, click here.