Melania Trump’s well-received speech Monday to the Republican National Convention contained two passages that match almost word-for-word the speech that first lady Michelle Obama delivered in 2008 at the Democratic National Convention.
Advertisement
So on “Make America Safe Again” night at the Republican National Convention, headlined by Melania Trump, the scheduled lineup included not only heroes from the battle of Benghazi and former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, but the famous political strategist Chachi. What was missing in Mrs. Trump’s speech was any sign that Donald Trump is a human being, and not a superhero from the planet Trumpton who was sent here to save America.
“It would not be a Trump contest without excitement and drama”, she said, smiling. And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and to pass them on to the next generation. “I think tonight they’ll walk away very impressed that this woman could be first lady of the United States, and I think she’ll be a good one”.
“If you want someone to fight for you and your country”, she said. That your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise.
“They quashed the voice of the people”, said Kendal Unruh, a Colorado delegate who had wanted to free delegates to vote for other candidates and who supported Sen. They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily life.
And Barack and I were raised with so numerous 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.
The Trump campaign released a statement on the speech after the similarities were uncovered, but the statement did not mention the plagiarism charge. She made up for his deficiencies, asking the audience to thank all of Trump’s primary opponents, something that Trump himself will be unlikely to do in his acceptance speech Thursday. He stood in front of a white screen in silhouette as stage smoke puffed around him for several seconds, his trademark swoop of hair immediately recognizable. He drew cheers as he took the stage to introducer her remarks to the delegates.
Melania Trump sought to portray her husband as a loving father and determined businessman whose love of country would bring all Americans together. “That is our bond and our strength”.
One delegate said everyone fell in love with her.
“No room for small thinking”.
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani’s unhinged squawks and Donald Trump’s enigmatic entrance at the RNC launch inspired the usual treasure trove of Twitter shenanigans. “A man who wants to give back to his country”. “We should not be satisfied with stagnation”.
Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort said that while Melania doesn’t love the campaign trail, she was eager to deliver this speech. Trump’s children, particularly his eldest daughter Ivanka, have turned into the family’s top surrogates to date. “It includes Hispanics and African-Americans and Asians, and the poor and the middle class”, she said.
Earlier in the day, Melania Trump told NBC’s Matt Lauer: “I read once over it, that’s all, because I wrote it … with (as) little help as possible”. “We must do our best to ensure every child can live in comfort and security with the best possible education”.
Melania Trump cast her husband Monday night as a champion of diverse racial and religious backgrounds, pushing back at critics who portray the Republican presidential hopeful as a divisive bigot. She became a citizen in 1996.
Even some of those participating in the convention seemed to be avoiding their party’s nominee. The 46-year-old former model spoke for about 15 minutes, emphasizing her husband’s compassion and kindness.
Advertisement
Her husband “intends to represent all the people, not just some of the people”, she added. “That includes Christians and Jews and Muslims”.
