• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Leadership

Donald Trump’s ‘Nasty Woman’ Comment at the Presidential Debate Sets Off Social Media Firestorm

By
Melissa Chan
Melissa Chan
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Melissa Chan
Melissa Chan
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 19, 2016, 11:12 PM ET

Donald Trump calling Hillary Clinton “such a nasty woman” the end of the final presidential debate on Wednesday resonated with several dozens of viewers, striking a sour note with voters just weeks before the election.

Both men and women, some with celebrity status, lashed out at the Republican nominee for the “misogynistic” remark on social media and mocked Trump for saying earlier that “nobody has more respect for women than I do.”

Clinton had been making a dig at Trump, while discussing the Social Security trust fund, when Trump interrupted, saying “such a nasty woman.”

Here’s a sample of the social media reaction:

Did Trump just call Hillary "such a nasty woman?" I bet Billy Bush egged him on to say that. #debatenight

— Larry Wilmore (@larrywilmore) October 20, 2016

"Nobody respects women more than me." —Donald Trump earlier tonight

"Such a nasty woman." —Donald Trump just now #DebateNight

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 20, 2016

It's a brain that thinks "say she's such a nasty woman" and also thinks, "lean into the mic for it."

— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) October 20, 2016

Trump just said no one respects women more than him, but just called Hillary a "nasty woman." #debatenightpic.twitter.com/xZDmAiUjBZ

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) October 20, 2016

https://twitter.com/TonyFratto/status/788931647886520320

"Such a nasty woman." – @realDonaldTrump

It's like he has a alarm that goes off when he hasn't said anything mean in a few minutes. #debate

— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) October 20, 2016

'Such a nasty woman.' My mouth fell open. I'm utterly shocked that a boorish misogynist of this caliber is on that stage. #debatenight

— Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) October 20, 2016

https://twitter.com/RonanFarrow/status/788933303902564352

https://twitter.com/ardenrose/status/788932841274953728

The only person with more respect for women than Donald Trump is Bill Cosby. #debate

— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) October 20, 2016

My stomach literally churned as he snarled "what a nasty woman."
That moment just won't leave me.

— Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) October 20, 2016

About the Author
By Melissa Chan
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Leadership

Future of WorkJamie Dimon
Jamie Dimon says even though AI will eliminate some jobs ‘maybe one day we’ll be working less hard but having wonderful lives’
By Jason MaDecember 7, 2025
9 hours ago
business
C-Suitechief executive officer (CEO)
Inside the Fortune 500 CEO pressure cooker: surviving is harder than ever and requires an ‘odd combination’ of traits
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 7, 2025
13 hours ago
Alex Amouyel is the President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation
Commentaryphilanthropy
Following in Paul Newman and Yvon Chouinard’s footsteps: There are more ways for leaders to give it away in ‘the Great Boomer Fire Sale’ than ever
By Alex AmouyelDecember 7, 2025
14 hours ago
Hank Green sipping tea
SuccessPersonal Finance
Millionaire YouTuber Hank Green tells Gen Z to rethink their Tesla bets—and shares the portfolio changes he’s making to avoid AI-bubble fallout
By Preston ForeDecember 7, 2025
15 hours ago
MagazineWarren Buffett
Warren Buffett: Business titan and cover star
By Indrani SenDecember 7, 2025
16 hours ago
Tamera Fenske, chief supply chain officer at Kimberly-Clark
SuccessCareers
Kimberly-Clark exec is one of 76 women in the Fortune 500 with her title—she says bosses used to compare her to their daughters when she got promoted
By Emma BurleighDecember 7, 2025
17 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
AI
Nvidia CEO says data centers take about 3 years to construct in the U.S., while in China 'they can build a hospital in a weekend'
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Real Estate
The 'Great Housing Reset' is coming: Income growth will outpace home-price growth in 2026, Redfin forecasts
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The most likely solution to the U.S. debt crisis is severe austerity triggered by a fiscal calamity, former White House economic adviser says
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Big Tech
Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook for the metaverse. Four years and $70 billion in losses later, he’s moving on
By Eva RoytburgDecember 5, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says Europe has a 'real problem’
By Katherine Chiglinsky and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Uncategorized
Transforming customer support through intelligent AI operations
By Lauren ChomiukNovember 26, 2025
11 days ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.