Melania Trump made her first major address before the United States last night, including some powerful verses on work ethic and honesty.
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All was well and good until people started pointing out there was something familiar about a few of her passages. So familiar, in fact, that they were almost word-for-word replicas of a speech Michelle Obama gave before the Democratic Convention in 2008. We have listed both passages out in full below, along with the First Lady’s speech, see if you can notice a similarity.Melania Trump Republican Convention 2016:
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
Michelle Obama, Democratic National Convention 2008
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.
Trump 2016
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.
Obama 2008
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.
And here they are said at the same time
The similarity was picked up by a number of people and led to accusations of plagiarism.It also led to the hashtag #FamousmelaniaTrumpQuotes
Also this tweet from 2012 has been doing the rounds.
Trump communications adviser Jason Miller told the Huff Post: ‘In writing her beautiful speech, Melania’s team of writers took notes on her life’s inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking.
‘Melania’s immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech, which made it such a success.’
Donald Trump has since come out in support of his wife