Donald Trump's wife Melania criticized for copying Michelle Obama's speech (Video)

Donald Trump's wife, Melania, has taken centre stage on the first day of the Republican National Convention to support her husband but faced accusations after coping portion of Michelle Obama's to make hers. watch video after the cut

Commentators noticed similarities with Mrs Obama's 2008 convention speech.

Mrs Trump's speech also praised her husband as a "compassionate" man who would "fight for the country".

It was her first speech of the campaign and she had the help of a speechwriting team.

In a section, Mrs Trump said: "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 and keep your promise; that you treat people with respect."

Mrs Obama's speech in 2008 carried the lines: "And 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 and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them."

Mrs Trump speech continued: "[My parents] taught me to show the values and morals in my daily life. That is the lesson that I continue to pass along to our son. And we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow, because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

Mrs Obama said: "And Barack Obama and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generations. Because we want our children, and all children in this nation, to know that the only limit to the height of your achievement is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

Mr Trump's communications adviser Jason Miller issued a statement saying: "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."

Donald Trump's wife Melania criticized for copying Michelle Obama's speech  (Video)