As of this afternoon, we’ve learned that Melania Trump’s plagiarized speech falls at the feet of none other than Meredith McIver, a staff writer for the Trump organization, who, according to a statement, discussed Melania Trump’s influences with her over the phone, mistakenly writing down Michelle Obama’s remarks nearly word-for-word into Trump’s speech.

Staffer Takes Blame For Melania Plagiarism Scandal, But Trump Rejects Resignation https://t.co/0t5Xx5HDDw pic.twitter.com/tZGKuOINim

— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) July 20, 2016

Okay, likely story. It certainly isn’t making this controversy go away — especially because Donald Trump apparently refused McIver’s offer to resign, and continues to own the plagiarism as a way to attract “good press.” 

Good news is Melania’s speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics especially if you believe that all press is good press!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2016

Well, at least one version of Melania Trump wants to make good on her husband’s campaign’s embarrassing mistake: Actress Laura Benanti, who gave a stunning rendition of an “original statement” in response to the scandal. 

Photo and video: CBS