Anyone with a computer or smartphone saw the internet explode with gifs, memes, and countless articles noting similarities between Michelle Obama’s speech and a speech delivered by Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention this week in Cleveland.
(For the record, it appears Michelle Obama’s words weren’t the only ones making a guest appearance that evening…)
Melania Trump at #RNCinCLE: “I can assure you: He will never give up and he will never let you down.” https://t.co/t1tQUM95rm
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) July 19, 2016
As plagiarism accusations reached a fever pitch, Meredith McIver, a longtime employee of the Trump organization, released a statement taking blame for the incident:
“In working with Melania Trump on her recent First Lady speech, we discussed many people who inspired her and messages she wanted to share with the American people. A person she has always liked is Michelle Obama. Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs. Obama’s speech as examples. I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech. I did not check Mrs. Obama’s speeches. 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.”
Hold the phone. Melania Trump just admitted that she admires and is inspired by Michelle Obama and the messages in her speech. The same Michelle Obama whose husband has endorsed her husband’s rival in this election.
In this toxic political environment, is this not a sign that regardless of party and affiliation, there are universal messages that ring true?
We must come together around these. An excellent education for our kids is one of them.
In the words of CER Founder and CEO Jeanne Allen, “Let’s put down our ideological swords, roll up our sleeves, and make it happen.”