In the wake of allegations that Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump's wife, Melania Trump, plagiarized passages in her Republican National Convention speech, the Trump campaign denied the claims.
"In writing her beautiful speech, Melania's team of writers took notes on her life's inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking. Melania's immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech, which made it such a success," said Jason Miller, Donald Trump's senior communications advisor.
Melania Trump is said to have plagiarized portions of Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Manafort placed blame for the speech controversy on Hillary Clinton's campaign.
"There’s a political tint to this whole issue," Manafort said. "Certainly we've noted the Clinton camp was the first to get it out there in trying to say there was something untoward about the speech Melania Trump gave. It’s just another example, as far as we’re concerned, that when Hillary Clinton is threatened by a female, the first thing she does is try to destroy the person."
Jennifer Palmieri, a senior Clinton adviser, wrote on Twitter denying accusations that the campaign played any role in starting the plagiarism allegations.
Jon Favreau, a former speechwriter for President Barack Obama, claimed Sarah Hurwitz, Michelle Obama's head speechwriter, used to be Hillary Clinton's chief speechwriter.
Hurwitz, 38, has written for the Obamas for eight years and for Michelle Obama exclusively for nearly seven, The Washington Post reported. According to The Post, Hurwitz and Michelle Obama "have worked so closely together that nearly every word the first lady has spoken in public has been written or edited by Hurwitz."
Hurwitz has not commented on the controversy.
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