The Hashtag
#NastyWoman turned a debate insult into a feminist badge of honor overnight, reclaiming the slur as empowerment.
Origins
During the third presidential debate on October 19, 2016, Hillary Clinton was discussing Social Security when Donald Trump interrupted her with a muttered aside: “Such a nasty woman.”
The phrase instantly backfired. Within hours, #NastyWoman was trending worldwide as women reclaimed the insult. By morning, “Nasty Woman” merchandise flooded the internet—t-shirts, mugs, pins, signs.
Cultural Impact
The hashtag became:
- A fundraising phenomenon (proceeds to Planned Parenthood, ACLU)
- Protest sign staple at the 2017 Women’s March
- Code for women who refuse to be polite, compliant, or silent
- Shorthand for the misogyny Clinton faced throughout her campaign
Janet Jackson’s “Nasty” saw a 250% Spotify streaming increase. Saturday Night Live’s “Nasty Woman” sketch went viral. The phrase united women across generations who’d been called worse for speaking up.
It represented a turning point—the moment insults intended to shame women were instead weaponized as pride. Trump’s attempt to diminish Clinton amplified her support.