Floor fight, plagiarism charge roil GOP’s big show

CLEVELAND — Mr Donald Trump faced an embarrassing plagiarism scandal yesterday (Singapore time) that tarnished his wife Melania’s prime-time speech to a Republican National Convention already roiled by an opening day rank-and-file revolt.

It was a rough start to the four-day buildup to Mr Trump’s presidential nomination, one designed for maximum media exposure for the Republican standard bearer and his supporters.

With millions watching on television at home, Mrs Melania Trump delivered a defence of her husband and his bid to be the next president of the United States before thousands of cheering convention delegates.

But unmistakable similarities between a passage in her speech about her guiding values and one in a speech given by Mrs Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic convention soon came to light. The development came after a chaotic start to the Republican gathering in Cleveland, which erupted in jeers from Trump opponents after they were denied a chance to speak.

“We deserve to be heard, this is the people’s convention!” said Ms Diana Shores, a delegate from Virginia, while pro-Trump delegates tried to drown out the rebels with shouts of “Shame! Shame!”

Many are furious that the party, also called the GOP, of Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt will be led by a man who described Mexicans as rapists and advocated barring Muslims from entering the country.

But Trump fans insisted delegates heed the will of the grassroots of the party and make him the Republican nominee without equivocation. The billionaire won a thumping victory in statewide party elections, garnering more than 13 million votes.

This was meant to be Mr Trump’s moment — the point at which he put the lid on Republican divisions and marched the party towards November’s election and the White House.

Making a surprise cameo appearance at the gathering in Cleveland to introduce his wife, the bombastic tycoon showed confidence that belied the day’s spasm of public division.

“We’re going to win so big” said Mr Trump. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honour to present the next First Lady of the United States.”

Ahead of the convention he had tried to assuage conservative critics and bring the party together by naming Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate. But it was Mr Trump’s Slovenian-born wife Melania, until now only a minor presence in the campaign, who stepped up as his chief advocate on the convention’s opening day.

She took the stage with all the allure of a former model and in a strong accent made the case for Americans to entrust Mr Trump with the presidency.

“Donald is, and always has been, an amazing leader,” said the 46-year-old. “Now, he will go to work for you.

“He does not give up,” she said of her husband, portraying him as a loving father and successful businessman who would be a strong and compassionate president. “If you want someone to fight for you and your country, I can assure you, he’s the guy,” she said.

No sooner had the speech been delivered, though, than it was overshadowed by the plagiarism.

“From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say,” she said.

It strongly echoed Mrs Obama’s own words at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. “Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: That you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond,” she said in Denver.

As the controversy broke out, Mr Trump posted on Twitter: “It was truly an honor to introduce my wife, Melania. Her speech and demeanor were absolutely incredible. Very proud!” Agencies