On this day, February 2, 2016, Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush asked people to "please clap."

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Last edited Tue Feb 3, 2026, 01:31 AM - Edit history (1)

Please clap

"Please clap" is a phrase used by Jeb Bush on February 2, 2016 while campaigning in New Hampshire during the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries.

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Description

On February 2, 2016, Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush was speaking at a townhall at the Hanover Inn hotel in Hanover, New Hampshire. During the townhall, Bush made a contrast with more brash Republican candidates like Donald Trump, stating:

"I will not trash talk. I will not be a divider in chief or an agitator in chief. I won't be out there blowharding, talking a big game without backing it up. I think the next president needs to be a lot quieter but send a signal that we're prepared to act in the national security interests of this country — to get back in the business of creating a more peaceful world."
[silence]
"Please clap."

After making such a declaration, Bush was met with silence from the crowd rather than the applause he expected. Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell told BuzzFeed News that the media had mischaracterized the event, describing "please clap" as a "charming moment".

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