Why Melania Trump's Plagiarism Is Inexcusable | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Why Melania Trump's Plagiarism Is Inexcusable

If she was in college she wouldn't get a second chance.

13
Why Melania Trump's Plagiarism Is Inexcusable

Social media has been buzzing lately about the fact that a section of Melania Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention was plagiarized from Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention. When you look at the speeches side by side, there is no denying the rumors are true.

For 36 hours, the Trump campaign denied that any part of Melania’s speech was plagiarized, but then Meredith McIver came forward and acknowledged herself as the speechwriter, apologizing for her mistake. She said she offered her resignation to Donald Trump, but he denied it. He said, “everyone makes mistakes.”

And this also is true. Everyone does make mistakes. But when you plagiarize the current first lady’s speech during a presidential campaign, mistakes matter, and should be consequential.

At Boston College, and I’m sure most other universities, penalties for plagiarism and other violations of academic integrity can include university probation, suspension or expulsion because the theft of intellectual property is not a crime to be dealt with lightly. Boston College defines plagiarism as "the act of taking the words, ideas, data, illustrations or statements of another person or source, and presenting them as one's own. Each student is responsible for learning and using proper methods of paraphrasing and footnoting, quotation, and other forms of citation, to ensure that the original author, speaker, illustrator, or source of the material used is clearly acknowledged.”

Even if, as McIver claims, she did not check Michelle Obama’s speech to make sure there was a significant distinction between their words, copying the same “ideas” so closely also is considered plagiarism. It is not professional or ethical, two adjectives that ought to describe a presidential campaign.

Meredith McIver aside, one way Melania Trump could have avoided this humiliation would have been to write her own speech. Because regardless of who actually wrote it, she is the one who represents the words read to the public. I have spoken with many individuals on this matter, and I’m usually met with: “Well no one writes their own speeches.” While this may be correct, that does not mean that politicians cannot write their own speeches.

I’m going to pick on Melania for a moment, but only because she made herself the perfect target, not because I have any specific disdain for her. This goes for all politicians.

I’ve heard on the news how well educated Melania Trump is. She speaks five languages: English, Slovenian, French, Serbian and German. This is certainly an intelligent woman we are speaking of. And she is campaigning to hold an extremely powerful and respected position in our country, alongside her husband Donald Trump. Would it be so difficult, then, for such a clearly scholarly woman to take the time to write her own speech? If we were speaking of Trump himself, I might let it slide, because he’s running for president. And though I’m sure Melania has numerous responsibilities during this time, I’d go out on a limb and say her speech in front of the Republican National Convention should have taken top priority.

Even if she’d jotted down a draft or two, and then given them to her speechwriters for editing, she would have escaped this entire plagiarism debacle. She has basically a 50-percent chance of becoming America’s next first lady; shouldn’t she put in a little academic effort?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

185604
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

11823
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455664
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25207
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments