--- title: Rep. Brian Babin Thinks It's OK to Call Clinton 'Nasty' description: Republican congressman, Rep. Brian Babin, approves of Trump calling Clinton a 'nasty woman' during third presidential debate. canonical: https://time.com/4540336/rep-brian-babin-says-ok-call-clinton-nasty-presidential-debate/ author: Charlotte Alter article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-10-21T14:53:54.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T09:03:39.454Z og:title: This 'Genteel Southern' Congressman Thinks It’s OK to Call Clinton 'Nasty' og:description: 'I think she's done some nasty things' og:url: https://time.com/4540336/rep-brian-babin-says-ok-call-clinton-nasty-presidential-debate/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt929b3d33576d6da7/6988ab1197cdffe6be6ae45d/gettyimages-531881166.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: Trump at RNC og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: This 'Genteel Southern' Congressman Thinks It’s OK to Call Clinton 'Nasty' twitter:description: 'I think she's done some nasty things' twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt929b3d33576d6da7/6988ab1197cdffe6be6ae45d/gettyimages-531881166.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # This 'Genteel Southern' Congressman Thinks It’s OK to Call Clinton 'Nasty'  by [Charlotte Alter](https://time.com/author/charlotte-alter/)  ## Charlotte Alter Senior Correspondent Oct 21, 2016 2:53 PM UTC  Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, is seen outside of the Republican National Committee before the arrival of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, May 12, 2016\. (Tom Williams--CQ Roll Call) Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, is seen outside of the Republican National Committee before the arrival of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, May 12, 2016\. (Tom Williams--CQ Roll Call)Tom Williams—CQ-Roll Call,Inc.  by [Charlotte Alter](https://time.com/author/charlotte-alter/)  ## Charlotte Alter Senior Correspondent Oct 21, 2016 2:53 PM UTC A Republican congressman from Texas [defended ](http://radio.foxnews.com/2016/10/20/rep-babin-sometimes-a-lady-needs-to-be-told-when-shes-nasty/)Donald Trump’s language in the third presidential debate, saying Trump’s characterization of Clinton as a “nasty woman” was justified. “I’m a genteel Southern gentleman,” Rep. Brian Babin told [The Alan Colmes Show](http://radio.foxnews.com/2016/10/20/rep-babin-sometimes-a-lady-needs-to-be-told-when-shes-nasty/) Thursday night. “I think sometimes a lady needs to be told when she’s being nasty.” Rep. Brabin is a Trump supporter who said he thought Trump won the third presidential debate for “talking the issues.” When [asked repeatedly whether it was appropriate](https://soundcloud.com/user-704098053/brian-babin-on-alan-colmes-show) for Trump to call Clinton a “nasty woman,” Rep. Brabin said “I agree with him,” and “I think she’s done some nasty things.” The comment was one of the most controversial moments of the final presidential debate. Trump interjected “such a nasty woman” unprompted, as Clinton was discussing her plan for a social security payroll contribution plan. 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