Did Hillary Clinton just reference RuPaul’s Drag Race?

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Wait, did Hillary Clinton just drop a RuPaul’s Drag Race reference?

Many people thought so after seeing the former Presidential hopeful – who got 3 million more votes than Donald Trump – reacting to news that Saudi Arabia will end its ban on women driving cars.

Responding to the news, the former US Secretary of State tweeted: “It’s about time. Ladies, start your engines!”

The tweet sent gay Twitter into a frenzy, as many wondered if it was a reference to RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Every episode of the drag reality contest features the immortal catchphrase, “Gentlemen, start your engines, and may the best woman win!”

Did Hillary Clinton just reference RuPaul’s Drag Race?

It’s certainty not without the realms of possibility that Clinton has been spending her free time this year catching up on the show, after hinting at some TV binge sessions in her book ‘What Happened’.

And her daughter Chelsea Clinton is a rumoured Drag Race fan, having made a surprise appearance at Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon’s New York cabaret show.

Did Hillary Clinton just reference RuPaul’s Drag Race?
Chelsea Clinton

That was evidence enough for some.

One Twitter user wrote: “Hillary Clinton quoting Rupaul is everything I need on a Wednesday night.”


Another added: “did hillary rodham clinton just unintentionally or intentionally reference drag race because i’m gonna need a second to pass out”.

Did Hillary Clinton just reference RuPaul’s Drag Race?Did Hillary Clinton just reference RuPaul’s Drag Race?Did Hillary Clinton just reference RuPaul’s Drag Race?Did Hillary Clinton just reference RuPaul’s Drag Race?Did Hillary Clinton just reference RuPaul’s Drag Race?

Of course, none of this is actually proof.

And of course, it’s possible that she was making a much less interesting reference – to actual racing.

The iconic Drag Race catchphrase itself was a reference to a phrase from motor racing.

The Indianapolis 500 traditionally began with the starting call “Gentlemen, start your engines!”, later amended to the gender-neutral “Drivers, start your engines” after the introduction of female drivers.

Of course, if Clinton was referencing Drag Race, she could always try this iconic moment.

RuPaul would presumably be open to a Clinton guest judge spot, though.

The drag icon backed her run for President, explaining: “Do you want a pompous braggart who doesn’t know anything about diplomacy? Or do you want a badass bitch who knows how to get shit done?”

After Trump’s victory, RuPaul added: “As a kid, I couldn’t understand how the world could stand by and allow a Hitler to happen. Now I do.”

Clinton recently paid a touching tribute to the late LGBT activist Edie Windsor at her funeral.