Trump Campaign Admits Parts of Melania’s Speech Were Copied From Michelle Obama

A Trump speechwriter stepped forward Wednesday to take the blame for plagiarizing lines from Michelle Obama’s 2008 convention speech for Melania Trump.

Meredith McIver, who describes herself as an “in-house staff writer for The Trump Organization,” released this pretty amazing statement to the press.

My name is Meredith McIver and I’m an in-house staff writer at the Trump Organization. I am also a longtime friend and admirer of the Trump family.

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.

Yesterday, I offered my resignation to Mr. Trump and the Trump family, but they rejected it. Mr. Trump told me that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences.

I asked to put out this statement because I did not like seeing the way this was distracting from Mr. Trump’s historic campaign for president and Melania’s beautiful message and presentation.

I apologize for the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused. Today, more than ever, I am honored to work for such a great family. I personally admire the way Mr. Trump has handled this situation and I am grateful for his understanding.

Sincerely, Meredith McIver

McIver’s statement comes after more than 24 hours of denials by the Trump campaign and its surrogates, who blamed the media or Hillary Clinton or My Little Pony for the uproar. Here’s campaign manager Paul Manafort just this morning, lying: