To his fans, Donald Trump is a refreshingly straight talker who doesn’t pull punches or bow to political correctness. To critics, he’s a bully who shouldn’t be taken seriously. This view was on display when viewers reacted to Mr. Trump’s remarks during the third presidential debate. His dismissal of Secretary Hillary Clinton as a “nasty woman” quickly became a rallying cry on Twitter.
Madame President if you're #nasty #debatenight https://t.co/LkaZwGB0Qf
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) October 20, 2016
Women have consistently been Secretary Clinton’s biggest supporters in the polls. A key part of her strategy to win the election is targeting female Republican voters who feel disrespected by Donald Trump and the GOP establishment.
"Such a nasty woman" Trump says when Hillary Clinton suggests he avoids taxes, which he has boasted of doing.
— Arthur Delaney (@ArthurDelaneyHP) October 20, 2016
The Donald may have been his own worst enemy during the debate as his comments helped women identify with Hillary Clinton. Many of her supporters immediately began posting Tweets with the hashtag #Iamanastywoman as a sign of support, seeing the comment as a code word for strong, intelligent women.
Trump: “No one respects women more than me.” Minutes later Trump whispers in mic, “What a nasty woman.” Dude can NOT get out of his own way.
— Lloyd Legalist (@LloydLegalist) October 20, 2016
Donald Trump has faced increasing criticisms for his treatment of women. The release of an Access Hollywood tape in which he and Billy Bush discussed non-consensual sexual advances towards women immediately damaged his polling numbers.
Trump: what a nasty woman
Also Trump: I have the most respect for women, believe me— Molly (@Molly_Kats) October 20, 2016
Accusations of unwanted physical contact from multiple women quickly followed. When Mr. Trump claimed that “no one respects women more than me” during the debate, the audience laughed out loud. Current polls shows that female voters are not flocking to his cause in noticeable numbers.
SHOUT-OUT TO ALL MY FELLOW NASTY WOMEN OUT THERE #DEBATENIGHT
— Anne T. Donahue (@annetdonahue) October 20, 2016
Although The Donald intended for his insult to put Mrs. Clinton in her place, she seemed to not even notice it. After thirty years in politics, she has heard her fair share of sexist remarks and barely responded to his interruptions.
I think I might be a #nastywoman.
— Erika Honisch (@DrCanonic) October 20, 2016
For women across the nation who have been criticized for being too smart, too prepared or too experienced, Trump is only making himself look bad by levying these criticisms towards his opponent. Rather than seeing a nasty woman, feminist voters see a nasty man interrupting the first female President of the United States.