The Trump Campaign: A Bit of the Truth Sandwiched in Between Political Spin

Meredith McIver

Meredith McIver, a Trump Organization writer, not directly connected to the campaign, took some of the blame for the unfortunate plagiarism in Melania Trump's Monday night speech, even tendering a resignation that was not accepted.

The New York Times published this quote:

“In working with Melania on her recent first lady speech, we discussed many people who inspired her and messages she wanted to share with the American people,” Ms. McIver wrote.

“A person she has always liked is Michelle Obama,” she added.

“Over the phone,” Ms. Trump “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.”

Morgan Graham

Hopefully, this will end the silly political spin from Trump Campaign Manager Paul Manafort, the loquacious Newt Gingrich and even our local Republican County Chairperson, Morgan Graham, trying to explain away the obvious lifting of two sentences from Michelle Obama's 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention for inclusion in Melania Trumps' Monday night address in Cleveland.

Donald Trump Makes his Entrance Monday

Trump's people still blame the media for keeping this plagiarism story alive for two days, but, the reality is that Trumps' mishandling of the incident is the real culprit.  Why is it so difficult for Donald to admit a mistake by his staff or himself?

Speaking of spin, Donald Trump tweeted this statement today:  

"Good news is Melania's speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics especially if you believe that all press is good press!"

Melania, Donald Trump

Interestingly, Donald made his dramatic entrance today via helicopter flanked by VP Candidate Mike Pence and all the adult Trump kids were there to greet them.  Melania was a no-show. She's not shown her face since Monday night.