Hillary Clinton cracks joke about losing 2016 election in surprise Tony Awards appearance… but only fawning A-listers are laughing

Hillary Clinton joked about her 2016 election loss during a surprise appearance at the 2024 Tony Awards on Sunday night.

Clinton came out to loud applause and a standing ovation from almost the entire A-list Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater New York City.

She was there to present a performance from the musical Suffs, a Broadway show about the movement to give women the right to vote, with the former Secretary of State and First Lady serving as producer.

Clinton began her introduction by attempting to nod to her now eight-year electoral failure.

“I’ve been on many stages, but this is very special,” Clinton said. ‘I know how difficult it is to implement change.’

Many audience members who had previously supported Clinton laughed at the reference to her 2016 loss to Donald Trump.

“I am extremely proud of this original American musical from Shaina Taub – now a two-time Tony winner,” she continued.

‘And of course it’s about some American originals: the suffragists who fought so bravely for women’s right to vote in our country for so long.’

Clinton then implored people to vote in the upcoming 2024 presidential election between Trump and President Joe Biden.

“It’s almost impossible to imagine what a challenge that was, but now it’s an election year and we need to be reminded how important it is to vote, so welcome the company of Suffs!”

Many mocked Clinton’s performance and the crowd that stood in near unison for the ex-senator.

Ryan Gidursky wrote, “Democrats were like, ‘How can I do something more cringe than Robert DeNiro? Hillary Clinton: ‘Hold my drink’

Another user added: ‘Hillary Clinton shows up at the Tony Awards to pitch the election year and earns applause from the entitled elites. I hate this woman.”

She was there to present a performance from the musical Suffs, a Broadway show about the movement to give women the right to vote, with the former Secretary of State and First Lady serving as producer

Clinton emerged to thunderous applause and a standing ovation from nearly the entire A-list audience at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City

“Is this really how I found out Hillary Clinton was executive producer of a musical about suffragettes called Suffs lmao. This is a 30 Rock piece,” another joked.

Vulture writer E. Alex Jung wrote, “Cheers to whoever was brave enough to skip the standing ovation for Hillary Clinton.”

However, some at X were excited to see Clinton and praised her fashion sense during the show.

‘Hillary Clinton said: ‘It’s Pride Month and I’m presenting at the #TonyAwards, I’ll be wearing a fabulous kaftan!’ and good. FOR. HER.’

The show, which still runs on Broadway, won the trophies for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score for Taub.

However, Suffs lost in the Best Musical category, which would have made Clinton a Tony winner.

Clinton previously won an Emmy Award in 2023 and a Grammy Award in 1997. This was her first Tony nomination.

Angelina Jolie was joined on stage by daughter Vivienne, 15, as she was the night’s biggest winner at the 77th Tony Awards, while the musical she produced earned top honors on Broadway’s biggest night where Sarah Paulson, Daniel Radcliffe and Jeremy Strong all won big.

Paulson earned Best Actress in A Play for Appropriate, Radcliffe took home Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Merrily We Roll Along, and Strong triumphed in the Best Actor in A Play category for An Enemy Of The People. They were all first time winners.

Actress Angelina, 49, co-produced The Outsiders with one of her six children, while the stage production earned four, including top honors for Best Musical at Sunday night’s star-studded event.

Angelina and Vivienne proudly applauded side by side on stage as fellow producer Matthew Rego accepted the final gong of the evening with an inspiring acceptance speech.

The musical received no fewer than twelve nominations, because Vivienne notably dropped her father Brad Pitt’s surname on her Playbill credits.

The production also earned Best Direction of a Musical for Dayna Taymor, Best Sound Design of a Musical for Cody Spencer and Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Brian MacDevitt and Hana S. Kim.