As the race between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders rages on, supporters from the Democratic underdog have rallied behind a hashtag inspired by one of the biggest party-starting hits in recent years.
After a top Clinton strategist suggested Sanders ought to change the “tone of his campaign,” Sanders allies launched #ToneDownForWhat, which has been trending worldwide on Tuesday, March 29.
The “tone” comment caught the ire of the Sanders camp following a recent interview CNN’s Kate Bolduan conducted with Clinton strategist Joel Benenson. Explaining why Clinton nixed a debate request from Sanders, Benenson said, “This is a man who said he’d never run a negative ad ever. He’s now running them; they’re now planning to run more. Let’s see the tone of the campaign he wants to run before we get to any other questions.”
Anatomy of a Hit: Get the Back Story on ‘Turn Down For What’
Sanders’ team has been asking Clinton to agree to a debate in New York leading up to the state’s primary on April 19. So far, nothing has been scheduled.
Below, listen to Lil Jon and DJ Snake‘s jam as you read some examples of how the #ToneDownForWhat crowd has voiced its frustration.
A representative for Lil Jon responded with “no comment” on the hashtag. A representative for DJ Snake did not immediately return Billboard’s request for comment.
Us celebrating #ToneDownForWhat crossing 100,000 tweets pic.twitter.com/1qaCsq7PUS
— People For Bernie (@People4Bernie) March 29, 2016
It’s almost kind of amazing-by threatening to not debate Hillary’s basically pulling a Donald Trump #ToneDownForWhat pic.twitter.com/MzdB4q98jc
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) March 29, 2016
Imagine the sexist outcry if @BernieSanders said for HRC to change her “tone” #ToneDownForWhat
— Iowa for Bernie (@Iowa4Bernie) March 29, 2016
.@HillaryClinton doesn’t want America to hear the truth. It’s time for a NY debate. #ToneDownForWhat pic.twitter.com/U8uBM7L78R
— People For Bernie (@People4Bernie) March 28, 2016
Tonight, I “toned it down” and quietly mailed in my NY absentee ballot
No #DebateInNY needed, HRC#ToneDownForWhat pic.twitter.com/FaRZVNRApx— Sammy Smith (@Time4Sammy) March 29, 2016