It all began on Wednesday when Newsweek criticized Ivanka Trump for plagiarizing one of her own speeches while in India. The article declared that the "breadth of her talking points" were recycled from a November 2 speech delivered in Tokyo, then showed how several lines were directly lifted from the previous speech. There is only one problem with Newsweek's argument: it is sort of impossible to plagiarize yourself.
The original title of the article read: "Ivanka Trump plagiarizes one of her own speeches in India"
Ivanka Trump plagiarizes one of her own speeches in India https://t.co/nqrPl8R6cX https://t.co/C5Ivw2fEbb— Newsweek (@Newsweek)1512024005.0
Twitter took Newsweek to task for their mistake.
Newsweek's criticism didn't make sense.
Fair to criticize a speech on substance. But this criticism doesn't make sense. https://t.co/ntqEQ5HuP8— Mo Elleithee (@Mo Elleithee)1512053019.0
Plagiarizing one's own work is a ridiculous charge. Some think it is a good quality, calling it "intellectual consistency."
I find the concept of "plagiarizing" one's own work to be a ridiculous charge. I call it intellectual consistency.… https://t.co/kyFQ3vR4au— Michael Berry (@Michael Berry)1512052451.0
If we are being real with ourselves, who hasn't "plagiarized" parts of previous papers while in school?
Who among us hasn't plagiarized themselves? https://t.co/wwh0Hg7sZn— Josh Jordan (@Josh Jordan)1512050150.0
You can't really plagiarize yourself, folks. I mean, people give versions of the same speech all the damn time. Tha… https://t.co/3zl6XNSCt4— Rob Blackwell (@Rob Blackwell)1512051699.0
By definition, plagiarizing yourself is impossible.
@Newsweek Really? By definition that’s not even possible. Ya lost me.— 🇺🇸 Major 🇺🇸 (@🇺🇸 Major 🇺🇸)1512026481.0
If it’s your own work, it isn’t plagiarism. By definition. https://t.co/C6FZtglbex https://t.co/9yWSf4CTw5— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper)1512051337.0
In fact, the only place this rule of not plagiarizing your own work applies is in the world of academia.
@MAJJimR @Newsweek It's possible in academia (if you're recycling work from an old paper, you need to cite it). No… https://t.co/T8HT51Apnq— Akiva Cohen (@Akiva Cohen)1512051130.0
Maybe Newsweek needs a few more dictionaries in the office.
They don't seem to understand the word.
@Newsweek https://t.co/abpLwYzq1W— USMCSoonerFan (@USMCSoonerFan)1512058392.0
@Newsweek I think you need to invest in a dictionary.— EightBazookas (@EightBazookas)1512050913.0
"Try opening a dictionary...the definition of Plagiarism from @MerriamWebster: the act of using another person's words or ideas without giving credit to that person."
@Newsweek Try opening a dictionary...the definition of Plagiarism from @MerriamWebster : the act of using another … https://t.co/DNDMb91ngJ— Sarah The Roma🍸 (@Sarah The Roma🍸)1512052992.0
Sarcasm much?
As expected, people brought out the sass.
"Next [Newsweek] feature: Sun plagiarizes self by rising and setting in same manner as it did yesterday."
Next @newsweek feature: Sun plagiarizes self by rising and setting in same manner as it did yesterday. https://t.co/YS20nhC7LD— Scott Jennings (@Scott Jennings)1512051185.0
Don't tell Ivanka!
"Wow, I wonder what Ivanka Trump will do when she finds out what Ivanka Trump did."
Wow, I wonder what Ivanka Trump will do when she finds out what Ivanka Trump did. https://t.co/38BHJSsINK— Siraj Hashmi (@Siraj Hashmi)1512053383.0
Give yourself permission to copy yourself.
@looinrims @AkivaMCohen @Newsweek Well, I don’t believe she has to ask herself. 😃— 🇺🇸 Major 🇺🇸 (@🇺🇸 Major 🇺🇸)1512052194.0
When you apply Newsweek's logic to other aspects of your life, it really falls apart.
@Newsweek I stole my own car today, drove it to work even. Don't worry, I'll return it tonight.— Shane Styles (@Shane Styles)1512052030.0
Turns out that this is a common practice in speechwriting.
A former speechwriter explains: "I know it's standard practice to reuse major portions of past speeches. That's why they are called "stump speeches," those which lay out broad positions and tell specific stories in support."
@Newsweek Are you guys at Newsweek really this stupid? As a former speechwriter, I know it's standard practice t… https://t.co/SZM9TCViuD— Dave Garner (@Dave Garner)1512050931.0
It has not been a good decade for Newsweek.
"Newsweek is a failed magazine under new owners. Trying to gain ad money from Trump haters by looking stupid as them."
@Newsweek Newsweek is a failed magazine under new owners. Trying to gain ad money from Trump haters by looking stu… https://t.co/AwhhqcFWPd— GrinningSoul (@GrinningSoul)1512063929.0
Since 2008, Newsweek has suffered internal and external contractions, shifts in focus and audience, and hemorrhaging of finances. The publication has ceased and resumed publication and has changed ownership hands many times over.
Newsweek changed their story. Actually, they changed one word, in the headline.
The publication changed "plagiarizes" to "recycles" in the headline.
The headline of this story was changed to reflect that Ivanka Trump reused portions of an earlier speech rather tha… https://t.co/J8ZaXbk0gX— Newsweek (@Newsweek)1512057465.0
Does not seem like much of an apology.
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