By now, you have probably seen the many #MelaniaTrumpQuotes memes and the comparison videos of Michelle Obama and Melania Trump. Also, you have most likely gathered that there is a very apparent plagiarism violation. Like the kind of plagiarism that would get you kicked out of school or fired from your job.
With the campaign quickly nearing November, maybe a tad more thought should've been put into the speech that would be so nationally broadcasted. Surely Melania read through and practiced her speech. She was probably focusing on correcting her accent as much as possible so the radicals wouldn't yell at her to "speak American." Regardless, someone noticed that the speech was partially plagiarized and called it like it is. I mean, how could any higher-up person not see it?
So, what does this borrowed speech really do to the Trump campaign?
Melania Trump could be the secret weapon in the Republican Nominee’s campaign. For one, she’s a woman, and two, she’s an immigrant. Both are demographics that The Donald isn’t exactly popular in, mostly because of his crude remarks towards women sexuality and multiple insults to the Mexican population. She could have cashed in both of those cards to repair as much damage as possible, yet she (or rather her speechwriter) chose to rewrite history… exactly.
This isn't to say she didn't speak about her immigration experience at all. Her speech was embellished with her journey to the United States and just how proud she is to be a legal American citizen. This type of vocalization from her eases the immigrant-hate that Donald Trump so readily doles out. Her thick accent may keep her out of the limelight often, but the existence of her heritage in the campaign gives a tiny bit of representation for the immigrants across the nation. With all of the controversy that surrounds this issue in the Trump campaign, Melania Trump is a light in the dark. However, that light is dim in the darkness of cheating.
Mrs. Trump is commonly labeled as a "gold digger" or a "porn star." This is most likely because she is a woman tangled up in politics. Why should we care what her intentions are? Well, because she has a likely chance to become the First Lady of the United States.
Racy pictures of Melania cover the Internet from previous photo shoots in magazines like GQ. The First Lady’s reputation should be one of strength and class. Seeing as this election is just as much a woman's world as a man's, a bit of girl power on the Republican side definitely wouldn't hurt. She could spin the negative into a positive by being an advocate for slut-shaming and body image. Having a strong feminist stance on women’s body issues could grant her the respect from a lot of women and men. In the era of photoshop and plastic surgery, a woman who knows how to be comfortable with her body is never a bad thing. A feminist stance on any issue would change the way the Trump campaign is perceived. Does she even have a stance of her own?
Her strengths were only semi-highlighted in that speech. While her obligation is to make the presidential-candidate look better, she has been so transparent in the Trump campaign that her speech had a lot riding on it- like swaying votes.
At this point, the Trump campaign's secret weapon has been misfired. Trump's speech was empowering and confident, but very fake. She failed to do her own research which in turn, worsened her reputation as being voiceless and standing aside. We can use her fashion sense as inspiration. But we can’t use a First Lady who doesn't obtain the intuition and integrity that she requires. The American people, especially American women, deserve a First Lady who is powerful and confident in her own intellect and past. Embracing who she is could change the game of the Trump regime as we know it. Who knows, maybe she still has a shot left in her. But as for now, Melania Trump is known for being the quiet immigrant woman in an immigrant-hating campaign. When she does speak, she isn't credible. If we can't trust her to assure her own credibility, how can we let her speak for our nation?
