Most journalists would probably like to forget about the media coverage of the 2016 campaign, but unfortunately, the drama of that year is burned into all of our brains like an acid flashback. I have one particularly vivid memory I return to from time to time. I was in my hotel room in St. Louis on the morning of the second presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. MSNBC was on in the background, and I turned to watch Andrea Mitchell interview Clinton’s campaign manager, Robby Mook. It was the same day that Trump held a Facebook Live press conference with three of the women who had accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct back in the ’90s—Juanita Broaddrick, Paula Jones, Kathleen Willey—and Kathy Shelton, a sexual assault victim whose rapist was defended by Hillary Clinton more than 40 years ago. The four women, Trump announced, would be attending that night’s debate.
Try Puck for free
Sign up today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.
Already a member? Log In
- Daily articles and breaking news
- Personal emails directly from our authors
- Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
- Unlimited access to archives
- Exclusive bonus days of select newsletters
- Exclusive access to Puck merch
- Early bird access to new editorial and product features
- Invitations to private conference calls with Puck authors
Exclusive to Inner Circle only
Latest Articles from Washington
Shock and Awe in Moscow
Trump’s Surrender at Versailles
To Bibi or Not to Bibi?
MAHA Faces the R.F.K. Rumor Mill
Trump’s Art of the Memorandum & The White House–FISA Bluff
The Department of Just Trump
Platner and His Discontents
Get access to this story
Enter your email for a free preview of Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.
Latest Articles from Washington
Drama Over D.N.I.
California Swingers
Catch-47
Mike Johnson’s Victory and a Half
Trump’s Blanche Check
Espaillat Goes Negative
The Bipartisan Problem-Starters Caucus
You have 1 free article Left
To read this full story and more, start your 14 day free trial today →
Already a member? Log In
Get access to this story
Enter your email to get access to one article and free previews of our private emails from Puck authors and editors.
Already a Member? Sign in
Latest Articles from Washington
Fahrenheit 250
The Other Maine Event
The Platner Primary
The Dems’ Debbie Downer
French Hill Has Eyes
Anti-Anti-Weaponizaton Blowback & What White Women Want