Hillary Clinton Gets Candid About What It Was Like to Debate Donald Trump
"Back up, you creep! Get away from me!"
Hillary Clinton is set to release a new memoir, What Happened, detailing the 2016 election. And it'll likely bring back some moments you may have suppressed because they were just that awful. (Yes, this really happened, and less than a year ago, if you can believe that.)
RELATED STORY
On Wednesday, Morning Joe aired an excerpt from Clinton's audiobook, in which she talks about the campaign and moments she wished she could do again. "Every day that I was a candidate for president, I knew that millions of people were counting on me, and I couldn't bear the idea of letting them down," she said. "But I did. I couldn't get the job done, and I'l have to live with that for the rest of my life."
She talked about how the book will feature moments she wished she could do over. One of those was October's town hall debate, which came after Trump's infamous Access Hollywood tape, in which he bragged about groping women. During that debate, Trump kept walking very closely behind her, and the result was incredibly creepy. Here's what she said in the excerpt aired on Morning Joe:
"No matter where I walked, he followed me closely, staring at me, making faces. It was incredibly uncomfortable. He was literally breathing down my neck. My skin crawled. It was one of those moments where you wish you could hit pause and ask everyone watching, 'Well, what would you do? You stay calm, keep smiling, and carry on as if he weren't repeatedly invading your space? Or do you turn, look him in the eye, and say loudly and clearly, Back up, you creep! Get away from me! I know you love to intimidate women but you can't intimidate me, so back up!' I chose option A. I kept my cool, aided by a lifetime of dealing with difficult men trying to throw me off. I did, however, grip the microphone extra hard. I wonder, though, whether I should have chosen option B. It certainly would have been better TV. May I have over learned the lesson of staying calm, biting my tongue, digging my fingernails into a clenched fist, smiling all the while, determined to present a composed face to the world."
Listen to the full excerpt below, if you can handle it:
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Megan Friedman is the former managing editor of the Newsroom at Hearst. She's worked at NBC and Time, and is a graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.
-
Taylor Swift Sweetly Dishes on Travis Kelce With a Young Swiftie at Children's Hospital
"I like Travis now," the fan shared.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
I Found the Most Luxe Beauty Stocking Stuffers Your Friends Actually Want
Beauty editor-tested and approved.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
32 Great TV Shows That Capture What We Love About Our Closest Friendships
Watch these with your bestie (or when you miss them).
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
A Nationwide Reaction to the 2024 Election
How are people feeling in this moment? Marie Claire spoke to folks across the country to find out what they were thinking as they cast their votes and waited to hear the results.
By The Editors Published
-
The Historic Election Victories Worth Celebrating
Including momentous firsts, abortion protections, and New York's "Equal Rights Amendment."
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Kamala Harris Has Lost the 2024 Presidential Election
It's official.
By Jenny Hollander Published
-
Donald Trump Is Ordered to Pay E. Jean Carroll $83.3 Million in Damages
Carroll had filed two defamation suits against the former president.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
E. Jean Carroll Triumphs Over Donald Trump In Civil Suit
A jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
It's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
By Brooke Knappenberger Last updated
-
How New York's First Female Governor Plans to Fight for Women If Reelected
Kathy Hochul twice came to power because men resigned amid sexual harassment scandals. Here, how she's leading differently.
By Emily Tisch Sussman Last updated
-
Why the 2022 Midterm Elections Are So Critical
As we blaze through a highly charged midterm election season, Swing Left Executive Director Yasmin Radjy highlights rising stars who are fighting for women’s rights.
By Tanya Benedicto Klich Published