9 viral moments from the 2016 presidential election
When it comes to hilarious viral moments, the 2016 presidential election did not disappoint.
From Donald Trump dancing to Drake’s “Hotline Bling” to a frustrated Hillary Clinton taking 5 subway swipes to get onto a New York City platform — there are plenty of moments that the American people will never forget.
Throughout the campaign season, the candidates learned how to poke fun at themselves, whether it was on a late night show or on the debate stage.
Candidates appear have learned their lesson on social media: Memories fade, but memes last forever.
Trump sings and dances to “Hotline Bling” on “SNL”
On November 7, 2015, Trump hosted “Saturday Night Live,” and appeared in a digital short spoofing Drake’s viral “Hotline Bling” video — and it was every bit as hilarious as it sounds.
Clinton casually stops for lunch at Chipotle
Operation “Spot Clinton’s ‘Scooby Van’” was in full swing, and she was great at staying undercover — that is, until the Democratic candidate got hungry and made a pit stop at a Chipotle Mexican Grill in Maumee, Ohio, in April. Clinton was caught on surveillance video ordering a chicken bowl with guacamole (yes, with guacamole).
USA Freedom Kids take the stage at Trump rally
These little girls have “Ameritude,” and they own it. In early January, a group of girls called the “USA Freedom Kids” sang and danced to a rendition of “Freedom’s Call” — a pro-Donald Trump take on an old World War I propaganda anthem. (They later made headlines again by suing the Trump campaign for breach of contract.)
Fly lands on Clinton’s face during presidential debate
Clinton kept her cool when a giant fly landed in the middle of her face, between her eyes, as she spoke on stage at the second presidential election. Though she didn’t make anything of it, Twitter certainly took advantage of the buzz-worthy moment.
Trump lets Jimmy Fallon mess up his hair
People can’t stop talking about Trump’s improbable golden locks. That includes Jimmy Fallon. The “Tonight Show” host took hold of an opportunity to get his hands on the Republican nominee’s hair when he appeared on the show in early September. ”Can I mess your hair up?” Fallon asked. “The answer is yes, but the people in New Hampshire where I’m going to be in about an hour from now, I hope they’re going to understand,” Trump said.
Clinton’s mid-debate shimmy
“Whoo! OK!” Clinton began, as she exhaled and shook her shoulders before responding to Trump during the first presidential debate. The internet dubbed the move the “Clinton shimmy,” and hilarious GIFs and videos soon followed.
Trump brings Trump toddler look-alike on stage
This boy has been called Trump’s tiny look-alike. The GOP nominee brought the little boy on stage at a rally in Pennsylvania, picking him up and introducing him to the crowd. The baby, Hunter Tirpak, was an instant celebrity — for at least 15 minutes, anyway.
Bill Clinton’s obsession with balloons at the Democratic National Convention
Former president Bill Clinton was like a little boy at a birthday party when thousands of balloons dropped from the ceiling at the DNC. His eyes widened and a grin spread across his face as he began playfully kicking the red, white and blue balloons across the stage. It was nearly impossible to peel the former president’s eyes away from them, and the internet thought it was hilarious.
Clinton needs 5 swipes to enter NYC subway
One swipe, two swipes, three swipes, four swipes... more? It took Clinton fives swipes with a MetroCard to make it through a New York City subway turnstile. Some expected more from the New Yorker, but Clinton didn’t appear flustered. Instead, she laughed and kept swiping.
