The 2016 presidential election has been one of the most headline-inducing elections in recent memory. A full GOP field and the hotly-contested democratic run off provided endless opportunities and instances where politicians said or did outrageous things on the campaign trail.
Here's a look at a few of the most outrageous moments of the 2016 presidential election so far.
1. Hillary Clinton says she and her husband former President Bill Clinton were dead broke in 2001:
Before the campaign even officially began, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was already priming her image to middle-class voters. In an attempt to humanize herself on a recent book tour Hillary Clinton said she and husband Bill Clinton were dead broke as a result of steep debt they had incurred as a result of legal fees in recent years.
However, Clinton failed to remember that she, unlike many other people in the United States, possessed the ability to pay off that debt quickly because she make significantly more money then the majority of people do.
2. Donald Trump Calls Mexicans "Rapists"
Many of 2016's most controversial comments came from Donald Trump. The wealthy businessman became renown for off-color comments, some of which revolved around minorities.
When Trump announced he would be running for president, Trump spoke about Mexico, saying:
"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.”
3. Ben Carson: No Muslims for President
Former GOP nominee Dr. Ben Carson found himself in hot water after he said he didn't believe a Muslim should be president. During an interview with "Meet the Press," host Chuck Todd asked whether a president's faith should matter.
The answer was complicated.
“Well, I guess it depends on what that faith is. If it's inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter. But if it fits within the realm of America and consistent with the Constitution, no problem,” Carson said.
Todd then asked Carson whether he found Islam to be consistent with the Constitution.
“No, I don't, I do not,” Carson said, remarking, “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.”
4. Ted Cruz: Zodiac Killer?
The internet went wild on the conspiracy theory that GOP nominee Ted Cruz was actually the infamous Zodiac Killer, who killed several people in North Carolina in the '60s and '70s.
There was one problem: Ted Cruz was born in 1970, and the first killing happened in 1968, but nobody knows for sure whether the killing was actually linked to whoever the Zodiac Killer is.
The internet sensationalized the theory, which quickly blew up and went viral. Many said Cruz resembled the amateur sketch of the Zodiac Killer, and even a PPP poll of Florida voters found 38 percent believed Cruz and the Zodiac Killer were the same person.
5. Donald Trump Gives out Lindsey Graham's Phone Number
Donald Trump, irritated by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's comments supporting John McCain and subsequent attacks on Trump, unleashed his fury when he publicly announced Graham's phone number in the middle of a campaign event on national television.
Graham eventually posted a video burning his cell phone, then asking whether he should get an iPhone or an Android.
6. Hillary Clinton loves Snapchat's 24 Hour Time Limit
Snapchat has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing platforms for politicians to reach a younger audience, and Hillary Clinton has been one of the most avid users of it while on the campaign trail.
While on the trail, Clinton joked about how much she loved Snapchat.
"By the way, you may have seen that I have recently launched a Snapchat account,” she said. “I love it — those messages disappear all by themselves.”
Republicans didn't think the joke was very funny and criticized her for her remarks.
7. Donald Trump: Ben Carson Is a "Child Molester"
Donald Trump had strong words for GOP opponent Ben Carson on the campaign trail.
Referencing Carson's book where he details trying to stab a friend when he was 14 years old, Trump pounced on the opportunity to whack Carson, questioning his "pathological disease."
"How stupid are the people of the country to believe this crap?" Trump asked. "If you’re a child molester, a sick puppy, a child molester, there’s no cure for that."
Trump did not apologize for the remarks. Carson endorsed Trump several months later.
8. Clinton Jokes About Wiping Information: "What, like with a cloth or something?"
Hillary Clinton fumbled with reporters who questioned her on whether she wiped her email server before she sent it off to federal investigators.
"What, like with a cloth or something?" Clinton asked, motioning like she was wiping.
Clinton then said she didn't know how it worked digitally "at all" and told reporters she handed over every piece of information to the FBI.
9. Donald Trump: "I love Hispanics!"
Only a few months after he called Mexicans "rapists," Donald Trump was back on Twitter, praising Hispanics on Cinco de Mayo.
Trump posted a photo of himself along with a taco bowl, tweeting:
"Happy #CincoDeMayo! The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics!"
10. Trump Ditches Debate, Hosts His Own Rally Instead
In a defiant move against the GOP establishment and against Fox News, Donald Trump skipped out on the Iowa GOP Debate, instead choosing to hold his own televised event for veterans in Des Moines.
Trump accused Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly of unfair coverage and refused to participate. Later, Trump skipped out on the Salt Lake City debate, which was canceled shortly thereafter.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
