While the country is reeling from Donald Trump’s surprise win in Tuesday’s presidential election, Hillary Clinton has an explanation.
According to the New York Times, Clinton blamed F.B.I. Director James Comey for her loss in a conference call with campaign donors on Saturday. Comey’s “groundless, baseless” letter to Congress days before the election “stopped our momentum,” said Clinton.
Clinton’s comments on the call mark her first statements since conceding the election on Wednesday morning.
“We dropped [in the polls], and we had to keep really pushing to regain our advantage, which going into last weekend, we had,” Clinton said. “We were once again up in all but two of the battleground states, and we were up considerably in some that we ended up losing. And we were feeling like we had to put it back together.”
The Democratic nominee said that Comey’s second letter, which cleared her of any wrongdoing, proved to be even more damaging. It simply reinforced the idea put forth by Trump that the political system is “rigged,” and turned out his base in even greater numbers.
Clinton was widely expected to win Tuesday’s election, but ended up losing a number of states won by Barack Obama in 2012, including Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio, ultimately costing her the race.
In her emotional concession speech delivered the next morning, Clinton thanked and apologized to her supporters while also reminding them that the country owes Trump “a chance to lead.”
“We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought but I still believe in America and I always will,” she said. “We must accept this result and look to the future.”
10 Mannequin Challenges Ranked From Worst to Best (Videos)
Don't stand still. Vote today: https://t.co/jfd3CXLD1s #ElectionDay #MannequinChallenge pic.twitter.com/4KAv2zu0rd— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 8, 2016
10. Hillary Clinton
We'll give Hillary Clinton and her team and A+ for effort. They almost had it. The scene was set, the poses were intricate, the challenge was seconds away from being complete, but then Clinton blinked.
While it may seem petty to dock off points for a mere blink, the entire purpose of the challenge is to hold still like a mannequin -- and mannequins don't blink.
A video posted by kellyrowland (@kellyrowland) on Nov 7, 2016 at 9:13am PST
9. Destiny's Child
We couldn't include a list of Mannequin Challenges without finding a way to put Beyoncé on it. Although this one was a little mediocre (sorry beyhive), it was still cute -- and they're clearly experts at holding completely still.
A video posted by Wardell Curry (@stephencurry30) on Nov 6, 2016 at 1:28am PST
8. Steph and Ayesha Curry
If the Curry's weren't relationship goals before, they sure are now.
This one had a lot of participants, but few things that were very out of the norm. It just looked like a restaurant scene frozen in time. Extra points for getting all the diners to join in on the challenge though.
A video posted by Blac Chyna (@blacchyna) on Nov 10, 2016 at 2:50pm PST
7. Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian
Blac Chyna didn't let having a baby keep her from participating in the Mannequin Challenge.
Chyna was in the hospital bed appearing to be screaming from giving birth while Rob Kardashian was anxiously at the foot of the bed awaiting his daughter to arrive.
6. BYU Cougars Gymnastics Team
The sheer strength it took to pull this off is unimaginable -- it hurt just watching it. This one wins our Olympic Gold.
Freezing our @WhiteHouse visit in time forever with @FLOTUS!#MannequinChallenge ???????? pic.twitter.com/iX1qaJ8qQQ— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 11, 2016
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs enjoyed their visit to the White House so much that they wanted to freeze their time there forever -- and we're glad they did.
Although this challenge seemed simple enough, we love it because of LeBron and Michelle's selfie moment. So precious.
4. Simone Shepherd and King Keraun
Comedians and YouTube personalities Simone Shepherd and King Keraun took a creative twist on the Mannequin Challenge. They reenacted R. Kelly's popular 12 chapter drama, "Trapped in the Closet," and captured multiple scenes into one video.
3. Black in Blue Film
Most mannequin challenges have all been in good fun, but this one took it a step further and turned a viral challenge into a powerful message.
This challenge reenacted the fatal deaths of Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, all while playing police scanner audio from the real events in the background.
LOOK AT THESE 4YR OLDS TRYING TO DO THE #MannequinChallenge ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/URQimmkmtM— 7 GOD (@iiBreakNecks) November 11, 2016
2. These 4-year-olds absolutely failed the Mannequin Challenge, but they still nailed it.
You can literally see how hard it is for them to not move and they’re trying their best to hold still for the sake of the challenge. Cuteness overload.
1. TheWrap
Everyone, just quit the challenge -- TheWrap wins. Hands down, the best mannequin challenge was done by TheWrap. Their creativity is unmatched, the precision unparalleled, we can't think of anyone who's done it better.
Totally unbiased opinion, of course.
1 of 10
From Hillary Clinton to the Cleveland Cavaliers, see who nailed the challenge
10. Hillary Clinton
We'll give Hillary Clinton and her team and A+ for effort. They almost had it. The scene was set, the poses were intricate, the challenge was seconds away from being complete, but then Clinton blinked.
While it may seem petty to dock off points for a mere blink, the entire purpose of the challenge is to hold still like a mannequin -- and mannequins don't blink.
