Melania Trump’s RNC Speech Spurs Social Media Backlash

A portion of the speech given by Melania Trump during the first night of the Republication National Convention in Cleveland on Monday night is similar in sections to one previously given by first lady Michelle Obama. 

Political journalists, comedians and celebrities were quick to take to Twitter to slam Melania Trump for plagiarizing from Michelle Obama’s 2008 Democratic convention address.

Conservative political analyst Brit Hume called the evidence “damaging,” while Jon Favreau, President Barack Obama’s former chief speechwriter, pointed out: “Sarah Hurwitz, Michelle’s head speechwriter, used to be Hillary’s. So the Trump campaign plagiarized from a Hillary speechwriter.”

The hashtag #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes — started by actor Jesse Williams with the below tweet — rose to the top of Twitter’s trending list on Monday night, spurring quotes and memes targeted at Melania Trump.

Donald Trump’s campaign released a statement in the early morning hours on Tuesday that did not mention the bubbling scandal.

See some of the reactions below.

“Ain’t I a woman?” #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes #RNCinCLE

— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 19, 2016

#CrookedMelania
RT @jennifersterger “Let’s get ready to rumble”… #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes pic.twitter.com/eLNAzOeRKa

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) July 19, 2016

“Work, work, work, work, work, work
He say me have to
Work, work, work, work, work, work!” #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes

— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 19, 2016

Sad to say, this is damaging. Intercut sound bites leave no doubt. https://t.co/rezA9agDDA

— Brit Hume (@brithume) July 19, 2016

I was quite moved by Melania’s description of her husband’s days as a community organizer. #RNCinCLE

— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) July 19, 2016

“Life is like a box of chocolates” – Melania Trump

— billy eichner (@billyeichner) July 19, 2016

Watch this Melania’s gonna have a snapchat vid showing Michelle allowing her to use those lines.

— Farhad Manjoo (@fmanjoo) July 19, 2016

Before empathizing w/ Melania for being screwed by a writer, keep in mind she told folks she wrote it. She’s either a plagiarist, or a liar.

— Amy Berg (@bergopolis) July 19, 2016

Look, do we really know Michelle didn’t lift it from Melania in 2008? There’s something going on.

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) July 19, 2016

Steve Schmidt is even more brutal: says Melania plagiarism “has brought scandal on a potential first lady.”

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) July 19, 2016

in hindsight it did seem odd when Melania talked about the challenges of being a black woman at Princeton

— Michael Crowley (@michaelcrowley) July 19, 2016

I feel genuinely bad for Melania. This is probably a staffer’s screw-up from an unprofessional campaign, and she’ll be humiliated over it.

— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) July 19, 2016

#Triumph The Insult Dog just photo bombed MSNBC with a sign reading “Melania Stole My Jokes” #gopconvention pic.twitter.com/FFg8moYT47

— Baker Machado (@BakerMachado) July 19, 2016

Sarah Hurwitz, Michelle’s head speechwriter, used to be Hillary’s. So the Trump campaign plagiarized from a Hillary speechwriter.

— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) July 19, 2016

Donald Trump’s only hope is to release Snapchat video of Melania getting Michelle Obama’s blessing to borrow her words and ideas

— Alex Blagg (@alexblagg) July 19, 2016

Melania really sounded like a first lady! A specific, current one

— Chelsea Peretti (@chelseaperetti) July 19, 2016

“I have had it with these mothahfuckin‘ snakes on this mothahfuckin‘ plane” #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes

— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) July 19, 2016

“YOU’RE FIRED!” #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes pic.twitter.com/c0G1RcQMPZ

— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) July 19, 2016

“I’ll have what she’s having.” #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes

— Clea DuVall (@cleaduvall) July 19, 2016

#shesaidwhat?!?! #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes got us like… pic.twitter.com/Ta39Ft5YDQ

— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins98) July 19, 2016

“Work sets you free.” #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes

— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 19, 2016

Twitter being Twitter, tens of thousands of people have been retweeting Trump congratulating Michelle Obama on her convention speech from 2012.

Very good speech by @MichelleObama–and under great pressure–Dems should be proud!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2012