PHOTO: Melania and Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention on Monday night
The fuss over Melania Trump’s plagiarism of Michele Obama will probably have come and gone by Thursday night — the US news cycle will have turned to her husband Donald’s speech as he accepts the Republican Party’s nomination for President.
But there is still political significance here. As part of the “mood music” for the 2016 election, Melania’s speech offers an important signal about Donald’s strategy. Lacking support from the Republican establishment for his run for the White House, he is appealing over its head to the American people — that’s why Melania kicked off four days of relatives and celebrities, rather than politicians, in the spotlight.
See US Analysis: Beyond The Donald — 4 Things to Watch at the Republican Convention
Equally important, there are the signals for those who are voting. Will they think of Melania’s speech and its moral appeal to family when they consider the thrice-married Trump and his far-from-secure morality? Will they juxtapose her coming-to-America story with Trump’s loud proclamations against many immigrants? Will they consider that — in contrast to Michele and Barack Obama — both of the Trumps came from well-off families for their supposed success stories?
Will the plagiarism lead some to pick apart image from reality?
I spoke with BBC outlets on Tuesday about those wider possibilities.
BBC World Service: Listen to discussion
BBC Radio Foyle: Listen to discussion
BBC WM: Listen to discussion
