Under fire from Democrats and the media for saying Hillary Clinton “got schlonged” in 2008 by Barack Obama, Republican hopeful Donald Trump doubled down.
Claiming a candidate getting “schlonged” is “a commonly used word in politics,” Trump refused to back down.
Once again, #MSM is dishonest. "Schlonged" is not vulgar. When I said Hillary got "schlonged" that meant beaten badly.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2015
He even cited NPR using the term in a political context.
NPR's @NealConan said "schlonged" to WaPo re: 1984 Mondale/Ferraro campaign: "That ticket went on to get schlonged at the polls." #Hypocrisy
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2015
For those on TV defending my use of the word "schlonged," bc #MSM is giving it false meaning-tell them it means beaten badly. Dishonest #MSM
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2015
When I said that Hillary Clinton got schlonged by Obama, it meant got beaten badly. The media knows this. Often used word in politics!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 23, 2015
Clinton’s communications director, Jennifer Palmieri, released a statement condemning Trump’s use of the term. Palmieri said the campaign was “not responding to Trump.” However, she played the “woman card” and claimed victim status for Hillary by adding while they won’t be responding, “everyone who understands the humiliation this degrading language inflicts on all women should.”
We are not responding to Trump but everyone who understands the humiliation this degrading language inflicts on all women should. #imwithher
— Jennifer Palmieri (@jmpalmieri) December 22, 2015
Clinton came under fire for saying Trump has been featured in ISIS recruitment videos. Media fact checkers could not find any evidence to support this claim, declaring it a lie.
While Trump is not featured in ISIS recruitment films, Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, is prominently featured in an ISIS video, where he is called a “fornicator” for his affairs and multiple claims of sexual assault and harassment.
Trump’s demands for an apology for the false charge were brushed off by the Clinton campaign.
Rather than address any of the back and forth head on, Clinton used a question about bullying to again attack Trump for his words.
Backing up Trump’s claim “schlonged” is a common political term was veteran newsman Jeff Greenfield and New York Times political correspondent Alex Burns.
On further review, Trump is right on this. "I got schlonged" is a commonplace NY way of saying: "I lost big time," w/out genital reference.
— Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) December 23, 2015
I've heard it for year, -after tennis games, poker games, bad stock bets.I obviously have a classy group of friends. https://t.co/65k9irf2vl
— Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) December 23, 2015
Moynihan said it all the time. Rockefeller too. "You know, Happy, they really schlonged me on this one." Really.
— Alex Burns (@alexburnsNYT) December 23, 2015