10 unforgettable moments of the US election campaign

The good, the bad and the downright weird of the 2016 US Presidential Election campaign encapsulated in 10 key moments.

Republican Donald Trump (L) and Democrat Hillary Clinton

Republican Donald Trump (L) and Democrat Hillary Clinton Source: EPA

The 2016 US Presidential Election campaign has been peppered with moments that could be described as anything between inspiring to entirely insane.

As it draws to a close, we reflect on 10 that fall within that spectrum.

1. The security scare that wasn’t

White House Republican candidate Donald Trump was bundled off stage by security officers in early November after a false gun scare during a campaign appearance.

The US Secret Service, which provides security for presidential candidates, later said someone in the crowd had shouted "gun" but that no weapon was found.

2. Girls perform musical ode to Donald Trump

Donald Trump launched a campaign song performed by three young girls in January in Pensacola, Florida. The lyrics go that he knows how to "deal from strength or get crushed every time".

Here's a snippet of the poetry:

Cowardice
Are you serious?
Apologies for freedom!
I can’t handle this.

When freedom rings,
Answer the call!
On your feet!
Stand up tall!

3. Clinton's collapse

Video footage shows Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton collapse as members of her entourage rush to hold her up and help her into her vehicle during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony in New York in September.

Her doctor said at the time she had been suffering pneumonia and “became overheated and dehydrated" but was “recovering nicely”.
The event led to fierce criticism over whether she was healthy enough to take the country’s top job, most notably from her rival Donald Trump.

“She has been a disaster. But here's a woman, she's supposed to fight all of these different things and she can't make it 15 feet to her car, give me a break, give me a break,” he said before mimicking her stumble.

4. Melania Trump 'roasted' at charity dinner

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton spent their time at the Al Smith charity dinner, held in New York City on the night after the final debate in October, making jabs at each other.

However in a show of good humour, Trump compared First Lady Michelle Obama's rave reviews for a recent speech to the one his wife, Melania Trump, gave at the opening of the Republican Convention in Cleveland in July. 

"They think she's [Michelle] absolutely great. My wife Melania gives the exact same speech, and people get on her case, and I don't get it, I don't know why," he said to applause.

"I'm in trouble when I go home tonight, she didn't know about that one."

He was referring to scrutiny that Mrs Trump's speech had received for bearing remarkable similarities to one Mrs Obama gave in 2008.

5. Clinton email dump

In March 2016, Wikileaks dumped a stash of emails linked to Hillary Clinton’s private email server, prompting an FBI investigation.

The emails had been hacked from the Gmail account of John Podesta, the Democrat campaign chair.

In July the FBI closed the case saying Mrs Clinton should not face criminal charges for mishandling of classified information.

But last week it was announced there were a further 650,000 emails, found on a laptop of Anthony Weiner and the FBI reopened the case.

The saga ended on Monday when FBI director James Coney announced it would not change the conclusion it made back in July.
Republican nominee Donald Trump has constantly asserted Mrs Clinton’s conduct has been criminal.

He also said that the FBI did not complete a thorough review.

"You can't review 650,000 new emails in eight days. You can't do it, folks,” Trump said.

"Hillary Clinton is guilty. She knows it, the FBI knows it, the people know it, and now it's up to the American people to deliver justice at the ballot box on November 8."

6. Tape surfaces capturing Trump talking vulgar about women

Donald Trump was heard making aggressively sexual remarks about women which were recorded by a live mic 11 years ago but published by the Washington Post in October.

"I don’t even wait. When you're a star, they let you do it," Trump is heard bragging to  ‘Access Hollywood’ celebrity show host Billy Bush on set of daytime soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’ of which he was to make a cameo appearance at that time, according to the Washington Post.

"Grab them by the pussy," he added.
In a televised apology in October he said: "I've said and done things I regret."

"Anyone who knows me knows these words don't reflect who I am. I said it, I was wrong, and I apologise."

Regardless, the revelation prompted dozens of Republicans withdrawing support from their party’s candidate, including 2008 presidential nominee John McCain.

7. 'When they go low, we go high'

First Lady Michelle Obama captured the imagination of Democratic supporters on the first day of a convention in Philadelphia in July when she delivered a passionate speech that asserted Democrats valued integrity: "When they [the Republican Party] go low, we go high".

She used her and Barack Obama's parenting of their two children to illustrate her point.

“How we urge them to ignore those who question their father’s citizenship or faith. How we insist that this hateful language they hear form public figures on TV does not represent the true spirit of this country.

"How we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is: when they go low, we go high."

8. Mexicans 'rapists and criminals'

During the launch of his presidential bid in June 2015, Mr Trump said he believed Mexico was sending criminals and rapists across the border into the US.

"When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you.
"They’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.

“And some, I assume, are good people."

His accusations have been used to back up his plan to build a wall between the two nations.

9. Father of slain Muslim American soldier speaks for minorities

The father of slain Muslim American soldier Humayun Khan condemned Mr Trump in July during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, saying the presidential candidate lacked the qualities to be a leader.

“Donald Trump continuously smears the character of Muslims,” 65-year-old Khizr Khan said.

“He disrespects other minorities, women, judges and even his own party leadership.

“He vows to build walls and ban us from this country. Donald Trump, you are asking Americans to trust you with their future. Let me ask you, have you even read the United States constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy.”

But Donald Trump shot back, asserting he had made “ a lot of sacrifices”, adding that Mr Khan had silenced his wife, who stood by his side when he made the speech.

Ghazala Khan responded that she was too grief-stricken to speak.

10. Presidential debate punctuations

Mr Trump raised eyebrows during the third and final presidential debate in late October when he interjected Hillary Clinton as she talked about enhancing benefits for low-income workers and raising taxes for the wealthy.

“Such a nasty woman,” he said with a smirk.
Mr Trump also drew attention that day over his position regarding Russia.

“I don’t know Putin. He’s said nice things about me. If we got along, that would be good. If Russia and the United States got along well and went after ISIS, that would be good.”

But it was red-cardigan-clad and undecided voter Ken Bone who stole the show in the debate prior.

“What steps will your energy policy take to meet our energy needs while at the same time remaining environmentally friendly and minimising job loss for fossil power plant workers,” he asked.

His appearance made him an Internet sensation, although it did not go without criticism after the web his porn comments on Reddit.
Saturday Night Live has garnered millions of views for lampooning the debates. In one scene, actor Alec Baldwin's Trump defends his relationship with Mexico by referring to the President as "Señor Guacamole".

"I also met his beautiful wife, Taquito, and their twin children Chips and Salsa," he said to guffaws.

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8 min read
Published 8 November 2016 3:04pm
Updated 9 November 2016 8:05am
By Andrea Booth


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