Sen. Elizabeth Warren attempted to defend fellow Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand from President Trump’s criticism Tuesday, but kind of inadvertently called her a “slut” instead.
The well-intentioned tweet quickly went south when Warren incorrectly used the term “slut-shame.”
“Are you really trying to bully, intimidate, and slut-shame Sen. Gillibrand?” Warren tweeted. “Do you know who you’re picking a fight with?”
Are you really trying to bully, intimidate and slut-shame @SenGillibrand? Do you know who you’re picking a fight with? Good luck with that, @realDonaldTrump. Nevertheless, #shepersisted. https://t.co/mYJtBZfxiu
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 12, 2017
“Slut shaming” is a term used to refer to criticizing or shaming women who engage in sexually promiscuous behavior. By accusing Trump of slut shaming Gillibrand, Warren is implying that Gillibrand has, in fact, been slutty or promiscuous.
Trump’s tweet said that Gillibrand was “‘begging’ for campaign contributions” and claimed she “would do anything for them.” Democrats took the tweet to be a sexist attack and claimed that Trump was implying Gillibrand would do sexual favors for campaign contributions.
Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky for Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office “begging” for campaign contributions not so long ago (and would do anything for them), is now in the ring fighting against Trump. Very disloyal to Bill & Crooked-USED!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2017
Warren’s use of term implies that Gillibrand did use sex to get campaign contributions, but that she shouldn’t be criticized for doing so.
Some Twitter users pointed out Warren’s awkward mistake.
Um, if you’re accusing Trump of slut-shaming, then you necessarily have to believe Gillibrand did something “slutty.”
What are you saying?https://t.co/uIea1dDGDA
— Heimish Conservative (@HeimishCon) December 12, 2017
That’s not what slut-shaming is, c’mon.
— Lev Novak (@LevNovak) December 12, 2017
Did you just confirm what the “begging” part meant? What do you know and why did you stay silent?
— Jayvie (@OneFineJay) December 12, 2017