The Irony of "Lock Him Up": How Hillary Clinton’s Smile at the DNC Is a Poetic Reversal of the 2016 Mantra

By Josiah Carrasco

August 20, 2024

Let’s talk about Hillary Clinton for a moment. Yes, that Hillary. The one who, despite being a private citizen, still manages to live rent-free in the minds of a certain demographic. You know, the same crowd that whipped up the old "Lock her up!" chant during Trump’s rallies—because nothing says democracy like jailing your political opponents. Well, fast forward to 2024, and the tables have turned. As Hillary took the stage at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), the crowd broke into a chorus of "Lock him up!" aimed at none other than Donald Trump, the man who once led the charge against her.

Clinton’s reaction? A knowing smile and a nod, as if to say, “Isn’t this just the perfect twist?”

What a time to be alive : )

Let’s rewind for a second. The "Lock her up!" chant was never really about emails, was it? It was about fear, power, and the uncomfortable reality that a woman was just too close to the highest office in the land. It became the anthem of those who couldn’t stomach the idea of a female president. But now, as the same slogan gets a gender flip, aimed squarely at the man who once wielded it like a weapon, we’re witnessing a moment of poetic justice.

Hillary’s smile says it all: "Oh, how the tables have turned."

The shift from "Lock her up!" to "Lock him up!" isn’t just about revenge—it’s about the glaring double standards that have permeated American politics for years. The chant has taken on a new life, now directed at a former president who faces multiple indictments. It’s as if the crowd is collectively saying, “We see your hypocrisy, and we’re not afraid to call it out.”

What’s the best part about this? Clinton’s smile, of course. It’s not just a smile. It’s a masterclass in irony, resilience, and, let’s be honest, a giant middle finger to everyone who thought they could scare her into submission. She’s seen it all before. The fake scandals, the baseless accusations, the endless investigations that lead to absolutely nothing. So, when she smiles at a crowd chanting the same slogan, now directed at Trump, it’s the ultimate “How do you like it now?” moment.

That smile is a reminder that she’s been through the wringer and come out the other side stronger. It’s the smile of someone who knows that history will not be kind to those who tried to weaponize baseless claims for political gain. And it’s a smile that says, “You can keep chanting, but I’m still standing.”

The Power of Resilience

Let’s not gloss over what this moment really represents: resilience in the face of relentless, and often absurd, opposition. The fact that "Lock him up!" now echoes through the same halls that once hosted "Lock her up!" says more about the state of American politics than any speech could. It’s a sign of how far we’ve come—and how much further we still need to go.

Resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving despite the odds. Clinton’s smile is a symbol of how far she’s come and how little those chants actually matter in the grand scheme of things. It’s a reminder that even after years of being the GOP’s favorite punching bag, she’s still here, still relevant, and still very much a force to be reckoned with.

What’s really sad—and let’s be real, kind of pathetic—is that we’re still talking about this. In a world where there are a million more pressing issues, some people are still stuck on a chant from 2016. But while they’re busy trying to relive the "glory days," the rest of us are moving forward, tackling real problems, and, you know, actually trying to make the world a better place.

This is where Hillary Clinton’s smile isn’t just a dismissal of an outdated slogan—it’s a call to action for the rest of us to keep pushing forward, to focus on what really matters. It’s a reminder that while some people are busy chanting about the past, we’ve got work to do in the present.

So, while they’re chanting, we’re smiling too—not because it’s funny, but because we know that progress is inevitable, no matter how hard some people try to hold us back. We’ve seen what happens when people cling to old grudges and refuse to move on: they get left behind, shouting into the wind while the rest of us get on with the business of actually making things better.

The fact that we're still talking about "Lock her up" in 2024 might seem surreal, but it’s also a stark reminder of how deep some wounds go. This chant isn't just about Hillary anymore; it's about the anger and division that have been brewing in the American political landscape for years. It's about how some folks would rather cling to outdated slogans than confront the complex realities of today.

But here’s the kicker—while they're stuck in the past, the world keeps spinning. Climate change is accelerating, the healthcare system is still in dire need of reform, and democracy itself is under threat from within. And yet, instead of addressing these existential issues, there’s still a crowd that would rather chant a phrase that’s as hollow now as it was back then.

And there’s Hillary, standing there, smiling, nodding, and reminding us all that while these folks are busy chanting the same old tune, she—and the rest of us—are moving forward. We're focusing on the real challenges that lie ahead, not the ghosts of elections past.

Hillary Clinton’s smile in this moment is more than just a reaction—it’s a symbol of her legacy. It’s a legacy of resilience, of refusing to be defined by the worst things people say about you. It’s about how, even when the world tries to knock you down, you stand tall, smile, and keep fighting for what you believe in.

Her smile is also a message to everyone who has ever faced unjust criticism, baseless accusations, or relentless opposition: keep going. Keep fighting. And most importantly, keep smiling. Because at the end of the day, it’s not the chants that matter; it’s the work you do and the impact you leave behind.

So, as we look to the future, let’s take a page out of Hillary’s book. Let’s smile in the face of adversity, nod at the absurdity of it all, and then get back to the work of making the world a better place. After all, the future doesn’t belong to those who chant; it belongs to those who build.