Melania Trump's Plagiarized Parts of Michelle Obama's 2008 Speech

For those who had hoped that Melania Trump might be different than her dishonest and disingenuous husband, last night did not auger for a good start.  In her speech deliver to the assembled Republican Party convention, Melania Trump plagiarized a portion of Michelle Obama's 2008 address to the Democrat Party convention almost word for word.   Sadly, both Trump's seem to believe that they can do whatever they want and think there should be never be any accountability.  One has to wonder who assisted Ms. Trump in preparing her remarks.  So much for the efforts of some pundits and commentators for trying to depict Melania as a woman of intelligence and substance.  CNN has details.  Here are highlights:

At least one passage in Melania Trump's speech Monday night at the Republican National Convention plagiarized from Michelle Obama's address to the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

Side-by-side comparisons of the transcripts show the text in Trump's address following, nearly to the word, the first lady's own from the first night of the Democratic convention in Denver nearly eight years ago.

The controversy quickly overshadowed the speech, which was to have been her introduction to voters. It focused on her immigration to the US and her love for her husband.

A Republican operative familiar with how the campaign was handling the speeches said a number of senior aides had a role, edited Melania's speech, suggested changes and provided guidance.

The Trump campaign released a statement on the speech after the similarities were uncovered, but the statement did not mention the plagiarism charge. 

Here is [Melania] Trump, on Monday:

"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 lives. That is a lesson that I continue to pass along to our son," Trump said.

And we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

And here is Obama, on August 25, 2008:

"And 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 to 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."

The sad part is that I'm not even really surprised.  With Trump, it is par for the course.