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Trump Staffer Apologizes For Using Michelle Obama Quotes In Melania RNC Speech

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — A staff writer for Donald Trump apologized Wednesday for including nearly identical quotes from a speech given by Michelle Obama in an address delivered by Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention.

In a letter (PDF) released by the Trump Organization and addressed "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN", Meredith McIver says she worked with Melania on her First Lady speech on Monday night and "discussed many people who inspired her", including Michelle Obama.

According to the letter, McIver took note of several passages from Mrs. Obama's 2008 convention speech as "examples" and "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" the Trump family, McIver wrote, adding, "No harm was meant."

The letter also claims McIver offered her resignation to Trump but was rejected.

"Mr. Trump told me that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences," wrote McIver, who says she personally requested to release a statement on the matter.

She says she feels terrible for the "chaos" she caused.

The Trump campaign has said denied accusations of plagiarism, saying the similarities were coincidence.

In a message posted on his official Twitter page prior to the announcement, Trump seemed to take the controversy in stride, calling it "good news" and even adding, "The media is spending more time doing a forensic analysis of Melania's speech than the FBI spent on Hillary's emails."

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says that passages incorporated into Melania Trump's convention speech from Michelle Obama's convention speech in 2008 shows that Americans admire similar values in their political leaders.

"I'm confident in the future, aspiring first ladies or potential first husbands will draw on the same kind of sentiments to advocate for their spouse," Earnest said.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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