It is what it is. Donald Trump finally opened up about the controversy surrounding wife Melania Trump’s Republican National Convention speech, which she delivered in Cleveland on Monday, July 18. Hear his statement in the video above!
As previously reported, the aspiring first lady’s address appeared to plagiarize remarks that Michelle Obama made during the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Trump Organization staff writer Meredith McIver, who helped write the speech with Melania, 46, took responsibility for the blunder on Wednesday.
“She just made a mistake, and I think it was terrific how she came forward and just said, ‘Look, it was a mistake that I made,'” the GOP presidential nominee, 70, told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos of McIver later in the day. “And she thought that it was very unfair to Melania, although, interestingly the press treated Melania very well because they didn’t think that it was her.”
McIver released a statement about the incident of her own volition. “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,” she wrote in a letter, via NBC. “I did not check Mrs. Obama’s speeches.”
At the height of the fiasco, McIver offered the Trump family her resignation. However, the former Celebrity Apprentice host did not accept it.
“Today more than ever, I am honored to work for such a great family,” McIver said in her statement. “I personally admire the way Mr. Trump has handled this situation and I am grateful for his understanding.”
Rewatch Melania and Michelle’s speeches in the video above.
