Does Melania Trump’s speechwriter actually exist?

SHE’S taking the blame for Melania Trump’s embarrassing speech but is Meredith McIver actually a real person? Or just a Trump smokescreen?

Melania Trump addresses delegates on the first day of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

DONALD Trump’s camp has tried to calm embarrassing revelations about his wife plagiarising parts of her speech by offering up the speechwriter to take the fall — but some don’t believe she’s actually a real person.

Meredith McIver released a statement on Wednesday that took the blame for writing Melania Trump’s speech, which bore striking similarities to one delivered by Michelle Obama in 2008.

In the statement Ms McIver described herself as an in-house staff writer at the Trump organisation, as well as a longtime friend and admirer of the family.

But speculation quickly sprung up around Ms McIver, with some media organisations pointing out she does not have a verified Twitter account or a LinkedIn profile.

No one has been able track her down for an interview, and there are only sparse details about her available.

Part of the scepticism stems from Mr Trump’s confession earlier this year that he had used aliases in the past for business deals.

The lack of information has fanned debate over whether Ms McIver is a Trump construct, even though the New York Times did namecheck her in an article about how the speech came about.

Serious question: has any news outlet seen or interviewed Meredith McIver? Asking because of the GOP candidate's history of using aliases.

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) July 20, 2016

Anagram of "Meredith McIver" is "I am merely a mimic". Coincidence?

— Jo Thornely (@jothornely) July 20, 2016

Details that have been unearthed include an Amazon author listing for Ms McIver that says she is the co-author of five of Mr Trump’s books.

Another biography of her on the All American Speakers Bureau website described her as a former ballerina who worked on Wall Street before joining the Trump organisation in 2001.

A photo of Meredith McIver (left) in her office in Trump Tower, Manhattan.

But the page disappeared on Wednesday afternoon fanning speculation.

A newly created Facebook page also fuelled debate.

Buzzfeed did some detective work and found there was a woman by the name of Meredith McIver living in Manhattan, according to the New York State of Elections website, and she was a registered Democrat. There was also a listing for Ms McIver on a legal and professional database that stated she was an employee of Mr Trump’s.

According to the New York Times, it was not the first time Ms McIver’s writing has been blamed for a Trump mistake. The millionaire also pointed the finger at her when asked in 2007 whether he had overstated his debt in his co-written books.

So it seems Ms McIver is a “real” person and she’s willing to claim responsiblity, even if others question whether she was really to blame.

The controversy the speech generated has hung over the opening days of the Republican convention, overshadowing Mrs Trump’s otherwise commendable performance.

It has also made Mrs Trump the butt of jokes and the subject of memes.

When you forget to study for the test... Can't make this stuff up! 😂 #MelaniaTrumpFamousQuotes #MelaniaGate #RNC pic.twitter.com/a6GitpqMnH

— Gino R. Campodónico (@GinoCampodonico) July 19, 2016

#melania trump....love this meme pic.twitter.com/9qdwBoPxmQ

— K Watts (@ms_kdiva) July 19, 2016

She even made an “appearance” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where actress Laura Benanti (dressed as Ms Trump) defended the originality of her speech and delivered a rousing comeback.

“This is truly the best of times . . . It is the worst of times,” ‘Mrs Trump’ said, pausing to pose for the cameras.

“To those who say I stole my speech I say, give me a break ... break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar,” and “I’m mad as hell ... you’ve got to fight for your right to party.”

In drafting Mrs Trump’s speech, Ms McIver said she had discussed people who inspired Mrs Trump and what messages she wanted to share.

“Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs Obama’s speech as examples,” she said in her statement. “I wrote them down and later 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 Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs Obama,” McIver said.

Ms McIver said she had offered to resign after the oversight but this had been rejected.

“I asked to put out this statement because I did not like seeing the way this was distracting from Mr Trump’s historic campaign for president and Melania’s beautiful message and presentation,” McIver said.

“I apologise for the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused.”