While presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump's words have drawn ire from many, it was his wife Melania Trump’s words that caused controversy this time around. Melania delivered the speech on Monday with poise and without much of a hitch, earning praise for her deliverance. But it was after the speech ended when accusations of plagiarism arose.
"We're going to win so big," Trump says. @thesnews
— Stephen Olschanski (@SOlschanski) July 19, 2016
Some parts of her speech sounded nearly word for word like Michelle Obama’s speech in 2008 at the Democratic Convention, though Melania told NBC’s Matt Lauer in an interview prior to the speech that she had written it herself.
The passage that came under fire is as follows, Obama’s follows after that.
Melania Trump:
“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. 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.”
Michelle Obama:
“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 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 rest of the speeches drew ire and praise as well, while some scratched their heads at the choices of speakers. While the afternoon session’s slate of speakers drifted into politics and policies calling out the Obama Administration and presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, the primetime docket wafted further into the political rhetoric with a group of speakers demanding Hillary Clinton be thrown in jail.
Willie Robertson, CEO of Duck Commander and star of Duck Dynasty, called out the media for being wrong about Trump saying they “didn’t know hang out with regular folks like us.” He later added how Donald Trump doesn’t care who you are, “he’ll have your back.”
What first brought the convention floor to its feet, however, were the words of Pat Smith, the mother of Sean Smith who was killed in the 2012 Benghazi attack. She said during her speech, “I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son.”
She concluded her speech saying, “Hillary Clinton for prison, she deserves to be in stripes.”
A select few other speakers revved up the emotions in the crowd as well. Sheriff David Clarke Jr.’s passionate remarks about police sent the convention to their feet as well as did former New York Gov. Rudy Giuliani’s loud and forceful speech.
What happen to no white America to no black America? What happened to one America? says Giuliani to loud applause. @thesnews
— Stephen Olschanski (@SOlschanski) July 19, 2016
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Giuliani stated he felt Donald Trump was wrongly attacked and was a good man who is fit for the presidency. His impassioned speech was labeled "fiery" by many.
Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn’s remarks spanned nearly a half hour as delegates began to dwindle in the crowd. By the time he finished speaking, the convention floor had nearly emptied when Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, finally took the stage. Few remained for Ernst and even fewer for following speakers, Jason Beardsley and Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont.
