Lewandowski calls for resignations after speech, points to Manafort

Donald Trump’s former campaign manager said on Tuesday that the person who signed off on Melania Trump’s prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention should resign amid accusations of plagiarism, pointing to his replacement.

{mosads}Corey Lewandowski told CNN on Tuesday that if current campaign manager Paul Manafort had the final say on the Melania Trump’s Monday night speech, he “would do the right thing and resign.”

Her address on the first night of the GOP presidential nominating convention was quickly overshadowed by reports that it shared some exact words and phrases with Michelle Obama’s 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention.

“Whoever signed off with the final sign-off that allowed this to go forward should be held accountable,” Lewandowski said Tuesday.

“I think if it was Paul Manafort, he would do the right thing and resign,” he added. “If he was the last person who saw this happen and has brought this on the candidate’s wife, I think he would resign because I think that’s the type of person he would be.”

Manafort defended the speech on Tuesday and insisted that nobody believes the speech was copied from the first lady’s 2008 address. He instead blamed presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the media for stoking the controversy.

Donald Trump fired Lewandowski in late June in a move meant to show that the campaign would take a more traditional path. His departure was perceived to be orchestrated by Manafort.

The former campaign manager also said on Tuesday that the blame should not be shifted onto Melania Trump.

“She should never have been subject to it,” he said. “She’s too good for that.”