Ill. delegates differ on Mrs. Trump’s possible plagiarism

(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois delegates to the Republican National Convention are playing down the impact of possible plagiarism in Melania Trump’s opening night speech.

One Trump delegate refused to believe that parts of the speech read by the wife of presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump were lifted from Michelle Obama’s speech in 2008. Others absolved Melania Trump and blamed the campaign.

The former model and jewelry maker gave a speech in Cleveland that included verbatim passages from Obama’s in Denver eight years ago.

Trump delegate Cynthia Schaffer of Tinley Park denied plagiarism. She says they were words “anyone would say about her husband.”

John Kasich delegate and state Rep. David Harris of Arlington Heights says “some speechwriter should be fired.” Kasich supporter Pat Brady of St. Charles says it reflects the Trump campaign’s disorganization.

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