"repeating the often stated ideas in the same or other words does not constitute appropriation of Michelle’s individual intellectual product." Using other words is OK. Using the same order of the same words in any sequence longer than a sentence or so is plagiarism by definition.

Here's the funny thing. Had the Trump campaign issued a quick apology and explanation they would have buried this issue within minutes. Instead they decided to pour a little more gas on their dumpster fire. Hard to figure out why.