How Hillary’s Fans Turned ‘Nasty’ Around
The story of how ‘nasty’ went from sexist insult to pro-Clinton shirt in just a few hours.
Robyn Beck/Getty
“Such a nasty woman.”
With this four-word dismissal of Hillary Clinton at the final presidential debate, Donald Trump unwittingly set the Internet ablaze. The word “nasty” rang across the web—first in shock, then in an unstoppable cascade of support, as Clinton’s female fans claimed the insult as their own. From pulsing GIFs to a slew of homemade memes featuring “Madam Secretary, if ya nasty,” here’s the timeline of the speedy rise of the “nasty woman” takeback.
The origin: At the end of last night’s debate—which consisted mostly of Trump excusing sexual assault, dodging election-outcome acceptance, and loudly interrupting his stone-faced opponent—Clinton commented on Trump’s avoidance of paying taxes (true, by the way). In response, he interjected the now-infamous phrase. Watch for yourself:
Trump on Clinton: "Such a nasty woman" https://t.co/15uQn8wmFC pic.twitter.com/6HgvgLsYlF
— Colin Jones (@colinjones) October 20, 2016
This is pretty standard Trump trash talk toward women, but Clinton’s corner of the Internet wasn’t having it.
He says that he respects women. Then why has he called us “pigs”, “slobs” and “dogs”? #Debates
— Barbara Boxer (@BarbaraBoxer) October 20, 2016
Women who disagree with you aren't "nasty". In this case, they are what is known as "right". #debate
— Jim Himes (@jahimes) October 20, 2016
Google interest in “nasty woman” shot up.
Then, chatter quickly turned to Janet Jackson’s song “Nasty.”
When they go low we get NASTY! pic.twitter.com/z9rAZYH0V2
— Courtney Enlow (@courtenlow) October 20, 2016
Some lyrics got repurposed a bit.
It's Hillary. Madam President, if you're nasty. #nastywoman #ImWithHer #debatenight pic.twitter.com/7gEdvyAJwB
— nasty shauna (@goldengateblond) October 20, 2016
"My name isn't Crooked, it's Hillary. Madame Prezzie, if ya nasty."
— Alana Massey (@AlanaMassey) October 20, 2016
It's Hillary. Miss Rodham if you're nasty.
— Mo Rocca (@MoRocca) October 20, 2016
President Clinton if you're nasty.
— Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) October 20, 2016
#ImANastyWoman trended, as well as #ImANastyWomanBecause, #NastyWomenVote and #NastyWomanUnite, as high-profile, pro-Clinton women embraced the term as a feminist battle cry.
i'm a nasty woman.
— Aidy Bryant (@aidybryant) October 20, 2016
Guess I'm a bigly puppet and a lepo, but I want a nasty woman for president. #debatenight @HillaryClinton
— Carrie Brownstein (@Carrie_Rachel) October 20, 2016
If you're a literate, smart, independent, working, or educated woman, you may be a #nastywoman #ImANastyWoman
— Lauren Allen (@laurgallen) October 20, 2016
#IAmANastyWomanBecause I believe that I should not be silenced simply on the basis of my gender pic.twitter.com/Osr2abqWn7
— Liz Berliant (@BurlyAnt) October 20, 2016
And men, too.
FOMO that I can't identify as a #NastyWoman tonight but thrilled I can at least vote for one.
— Andy Mientus (@andymientus) October 20, 2016
I hear the bathrooms in Trump Tower are being relabeled "Bad Hombres" and "Nasty Women."
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 20, 2016
[Immediately after "Such a nasty woman"]
— Erik Adams (@ErikMAdams) October 20, 2016
Clinton aide (on phone): Hi, Miss Jackson? How would you feel about performing at an inauguration?
In a shrewd social move, Jeff Metz, who has no affiliation with the Clinton campaign, purchased the URL NastyWomenGetShitDone.com and made it redirect to HillaryClinton.com. His site joined brand-new Clinton campaign redirects MakeAmericaNastyAgain.com and BadHombres.org.
Check out nastywomengetshitdone dot com
— Erin Gloria Ryan (@morninggloria) October 20, 2016
Demands for apparel quickly flooded social platforms.
If the Clinton campaign doesn't start selling "Nasty Woman" shirts tomorrow I'm just gonna have to make my own
— kateyrich (@kateyrich) October 20, 2016
The Internet’s craftswomen delivered.
The Nasty Woman T-shirt. For sale Amazon#nastywomanunite #nastywoman #debate #trump #Hillary #IAmANastyWomanBecausehttps://t.co/WOjK4JvtHM
— JacobienB (@JacobienB1) October 20, 2016
If you're a nasty women like me, buy this t-shirt. 50% goes to @PPact https://t.co/zasWKuW4Gh thanks @MoppyOpps for the link! 🙅🏽
— Lesley-Ann Brandt (@LesleyAnnBrandt) October 20, 2016
By morning, Janet Jackson’s “Nasty” had resurged in popularity as an anthem. It even merited a quick and dirty mashup.
Who's jamming to that nasty groove?
— Spotify (@Spotify) October 20, 2016
It's you lot, with streams of Nasty up 250% since last night… #debateshttps://t.co/ir9pohNtID
Come November 8 (or 28, depending on your sources), we’ll find out just how nasty this election can get.
May I remind you #NastyWomenVote #imwithher2016 pic.twitter.com/4xqLyo0kvV
— Allison Thrash (@AllisonThrash) October 20, 2016
YO MY LADIES Y'ALL SUCH NASTY WOMEN? YOU LET THAT BALLOT BOX DO YO BUSINESS. #ImANastyWoman #debatenight
— Maggie O'Leary (@olearyos) October 20, 2016
For the record, Hillary soberly explaining Obamacare made Trump think she's "such a nasty woman."
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 20, 2016
It's over, Donny. Bye. #debates
#ExpectUs on Nov. 8th #NastyWomenVote 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/FyoC5ZpfsI
— Oh God, What Now? 🎃 (@ShagMeFrida) October 20, 2016
Taking my daughters to vote with me so I can raise some nasty women. #nastywomenvote #ImWithHer pic.twitter.com/U7ATKCmHlk
— Christine (@christine_737) October 20, 2016
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