Quote · Pivot
Michigan's Primary Drama, the DOJ's Next Boss, and Hillary Clinton Co-Hosts
Where this was said
The 2016 Debate Moment: What Clinton Was Really Thinking
At 52:12 · chapter starts 51:30
From the Obama Presidential Center meme story — Clinton laughing as Michelle Obama mentioned Barack's Nobel Peace Prize, then whispering to Obama that Trump must be watching from 'the third circle of hell' — the conversation pivots to the more charged meme: Trump looming behind Clinton during the 2016 debate. She walks through the real-time calculation: Trump was tall, physically imposing, and clearly trying to provoke a reaction. If she turned and said 'Back off,' would she look rattled? Like a woman who couldn't handle him? Like someone unfit for the Oval Office? She chose silence. In retrospect, she wishes she'd turned and said 'Back off, you creep.' Kara agrees. The moment stands as a window into the impossible double-binds women in public life navigate in real time. [1] — Hillary Clinton "Clinton reveals her real-time calculation during the infamous 2016 debate moment when Trump loomed physically behind her. She decided not t…" 54:00
Clinton finally explains the viral meme of her laughing behind Obama at the Obama Presidential Center opening. Michelle Obama mentioned Barack's Nobel Peace Prize in her speech — Clinton burst out laughing, poked Obama in the back, and whispered that Trump must be in 'the third circle of hell' watching. Obama replied: 'Yeah, I hope he is.'
Clinton reveals her real-time calculation during the infamous 2016 debate moment when Trump loomed physically behind her. She decided not to confront him because she feared it would make her look rattled or unable to handle him. In retrospect, she wishes she had said 'Back off, you creep.'
