At the first presidential debate Monday night, Donald Trump called out Hillary Clinton for not having the “presidential look.” It wasn’t the only time the Republican nominee took digs at his opponent — there was obviously an email reference along the way — but it was the most overt call out about her appearance and her gender. As should be apparent, criticizing a woman about her appearance is not the way to win over much of the electorate.
In what should come as a shock to absolutely no one, Hillary supporters (and smart voters everywhere) were not having it. Almost immediately, Twitter was jumping down Trump’s throat about his comments and pointing out that if this battle for the White House were based on looks alone he might not be winning that showdown either. It’s a good thing that nobody chooses a president based off looks alone, at least not since Kennedy wore makeup and Nixon sweat everywhere 50 years ago.
https://twitter.com/VtimesTwo/status/780600824481263617
Sooooo you're saying that #HillaryClinton doesn't have the "presidential look"… But an Oompa Loompa does?! #donaldtrump #debate
— J Dav (@jordy_lynndavid) September 27, 2016
If anyone doesn't have a presidential "look" it's you @realDonaldTrump WHY DO U HAVE LIPS FOR EYESSSSS
— 🌊 (@innerwave956) September 27, 2016
What does a "presidential look" actually look like???!! 🤔🤔 #debatenight
— Mrs Shawn To You (@rozrozroxx) September 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/JAEnda1/status/780599706716106753
I think she has the Presidential Look. #ImWithHer pic.twitter.com/uykmvsBsqB
— Eleanor Friedberger (@EleanorOnly) September 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/emmahevang/status/780600925786411008
https://twitter.com/11susan11/status/780600952059338752
https://twitter.com/Max_Mylchreest/status/780601015984881664
A man with a spray tan and a combover told a former Secretary of State/Senator/First Lady that she didn't "look" presidential
— Brant Daugherty (@brantdaugherty) September 27, 2016
Donald Trump: "Hillary Clinton doesn't look presidential" (Read: "She has breasts.") "She lacks the stamina" (Read: "She lacks testicles.")
— Darren Stansbury (@Dee_Major) September 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/JenKlingler/status/780600748526538756
The debate ratings won’t come in until Tuesday morning, but enough people were watching to call Trump out about his comments and stand up for Hillary Clinton’s presidential qualifications — even if those qualifications are just based on her looks in this particular instance.