#EmailScandal
Hillary Clinton’s use of private email server that dominated 2016 campaign coverage.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Peak | July, October 2016 (FBI announcements) |
| Issue | Private email server as Secretary of State |
| FBI | Comey reopened investigation 11 days before election |
| Impact | Arguably cost Clinton the election |
Origin & Impact
Clinton’s private email server use as Secretary of State dominated 2016 coverage, with #EmailScandal and later mocking #ButHerEmails trending constantly. FBI Director Comey’s July press conference called her “extremely careless” but recommended no charges. Then, 11 days before the election, Comey announced reopening the investigation (closed again days later).
The timing likely impacted the election outcome. Years later, #ButHerEmails became ironic hashtag when Trump administration officials used private communications, highlighting perceived double standards. The scandal represented media’s role in campaign coverage and whether technical violations deserved obsessive attention over policy discussions.
Related Hashtags
- #ButHerEmails
- #HillarysEmails
- #Comey
- #LockHerUp