New Hampshire’s Kelly Ayotte Calls Trump a Good Role Model, Sets Internet Ablaze
Tonight, Kelly Ayotte made a comment that shocked political onlookers more than her distribution of condoms to college kids.
.@KellyAyotte thinks that dangerous, misogynistic, racist Trump is a good role model for kids. #nhsen #nhpolitics #nhdebate pic.twitter.com/mRMvDsZ6rP
— NextGen Climate NH (@NextGen_NH) October 3, 2016
Ayotte is running for reelection against the state’s Democratic governor, Maggie Hassan. She was debating her tonight when she answered that she would absolutely call Donald Trump a role model for kids.
Here’s a longer version:
Trump just spent a week fat-shaming a woman and bragging about not paying taxes; Kelly Ayotte calls him a role model pic.twitter.com/jrhwlo9bBe
— Jamison Foser (@jamisonfoser) October 3, 2016
After saying he’d be a great role model for kids, she was asked why she still refuses to endorse him. Haltingly, she said she’s had some “disagreements” with him.
It was a real no-win situation.
Few have had as hard a time navigating Trump Tornado than Ayotte. Say no, lose votes. Say absolutely, lose votes https://t.co/RpiMKkQ1lO
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) October 4, 2016
The disbelief and zingers began on Twitter immediately.
More to the point, KELLY AYOTTE JUST SAID SHE WOULD “ABSOLUTELY” POINT TO DONALD TRUMP AS A ROLE MODEL. https://t.co/vdFTE2dYzn
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) October 3, 2016
Take a look at Maggie Hassan’s expression as Ayotte tap-dances through this answer. I believe the political term for it is “glee.” https://t.co/dLRHmhRE4I
— Daniel Drezner (@dandrezner) October 4, 2016
Yikes, absolutely painful response from Kelly Ayotte on whether children should look up to Donald Trump as a role model. pic.twitter.com/WvGEomS3bF
— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) October 3, 2016
Kelly Ayotte *absolutely* sees Donald Trump as a role model, particularly in matters of debate preparation. https://t.co/7VrU8IKnSa
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) October 4, 2016
@Rob_Flaherty ???? you can see her slowly lose her soul the more she spoke
— Mia (@dukeblueblood) October 4, 2016
???I was shocked that Ayotte said Trump was a ROLE MODEL!!!….God help us… https://t.co/2Gh75fjJSA
— Judith Lombardi (@JEL317) October 4, 2016
Ayotte’s apprehensive tone & Hassan’s “how are you going to answer this one?” face are what sells this. https://t.co/GgzOUAZmRs
— Taniel (@Taniel) October 4, 2016
Tonight in a debate, Kelly Ayotte said Donald Trump was a role model for children…yeah, that’s gonna be around a while.
— Charles P. Pierce (@ESQPolitics) October 4, 2016
[int. Ayotte breakfast table]
Finish your juice, honey.
SHUT THE HELL UP, MOM, YOU LOSER!
That’s my kid. [pats child proudly]
— Kaili Joy Gray (@KailiJoy) October 4, 2016
Wow. Ayotte, really? Trump is a role model for children? https://t.co/xWwXxHd56c
— Daniella (@dgibber123) October 4, 2016
Holy hell that Ayotte clip is gonna be all over cable news tomorrow
— Dorsey Shaw (@dorseyshaw) October 4, 2016
Since Trump’s opponent, Hillary Clinton, has an entire ad out that’s dedicated to what a bad role model he is for kids, plenty of people saw the opportunity to repost it.
Kelly Ayotte thinks this guy is a good role model for children #nhpolitics https://t.co/1Ii8ogvpBf
— Judy Reardon (@JudyReardon) October 4, 2016
And so it begins: We have another infamous quote to add to the 2016 Election Hall of Fame. This one will fit snugly between “The polls…all of them,” and “Please clap.”
UPDATE — 11:15 p.m. EST:
Kelly Ayotte released a statement saying she “misspoke.”
[image via screengrab]
