"Wrong."
"That makes me smart."
"Why Not?" "Ugh."
"Why Not?" "Ugh."
No, those aren't snippets of a conversation with a cranky 5-year-old. They're just a few of the myriad ways Donald Trump interrupted Hillary Clinton during the first presidential debate.
The GOP presidential nominee tried to cut in over on his Democratic rival again and again during the debate. Vox kept tally and found that Trump interrupted Clinton 51 times during the debate. That count include 25 interruptions in the first 26 minutes of the broadcast. Clinton, by comparison, cut in on Trump's time on 17 occasions.
Now, it wouldn't be true rhetorical rumble without some level of interruption (See: 2012 and this year's Republican and Democratic primary debates).
But the gender dynamics between the two rivals were closely watched as the candidates took the stage to go head to head for the first time, especially given Trump's well-documented track record when it comes to making misogynistic comments.
And the frequency — and tone — of Trump's interjections, as well as Clinton's cool composure, provided plenty of fodder for the Twitterverse.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
It's almost like Hillary is used to rude men interrupting her, like she's a woman in the world or something
— Jessica Goldstein (@jessicagolds) September 27, 2016
Trump is giving us a performance art piece on all 80s businessman clichés: Interrupt, yell, mansplain & make faces while the lady talks.
— Julie S. Lalonde (@JulieSLalonde) September 27, 2016
"Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake" - Napoleon, and also Hillary Clinton's face right now
— Sady Doyle (@sadydoyle) September 27, 2016
Hillary is managing his interruptions brilliantly. Trump looks like a thwarted five-year-old trying to get Mommy's attention. #DebateNight
— Jennifer Weiner (@jenniferweiner) September 27, 2016
Interrupting wasn't the only Trump tactic that drew complaints of sexism during the 90-minute showdown. Some viewers cried foul just minutes into the debate, when Trump asked Clinton if it was okay for him to call her "Secretary Clinton" and added that he wants to make sure she's "very happy." Watch that exchange, below.
Refinery29 has partnered with more than 50 of the country's biggest media brands for women and political nonprofit Rock The Vote to register 100,000 women to vote. Become a voter today by signing up with #OurVoteCounts below.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT