Hillary Clinton To Ryan Zinke: 'I'm Not Actually The Antichrist'

Chris D'Angelo
Updated
"Maybe he’d forgotten, because he didn’t come equipped with any garlic or wood stakes," former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton writes of her exchange with Ryan Zinke on Jan. 20. (Photo: Lucas Jackson / Reuters)
"Maybe he’d forgotten, because he didn’t come equipped with any garlic or wood stakes," former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton writes of her exchange with Ryan Zinke on Jan. 20. (Photo: Lucas Jackson / Reuters)

WASHINGTON — Hillary Clinton writes in her new book that when approached by then-Congressman Ryan Zinke at President Donald Trump’s inauguration luncheon, she quickly assured the soon-to-be interior secretary he needn’t worry about her being supremely evil.

During a campaign stop in January 2014, when Zinke was a GOP candidate for Congress in Montana, he called Clinton the “Antichrist” and the “real enemy.”

According to multiple reports, Clinton writes in her book that during the Jan. 20 luncheon, Zinke “brought his wife [Lolita] over to say hello” — a move she found “somewhat surprising” considering his previous comments.

“Maybe he’d forgotten, because he didn’t come equipped with any garlic or wood stakes, or whatever one uses to ward off the Antichrist,” Clinton writes. “But I hadn’t forgotten.”

Clinton writes of confronting Zinke: ”‘You know, Congressman,’ I said, ‘I’m not actually the Antichrist.’”

Clinton claims Zinke “was taken aback” by her comment and “mumbled something about not having meant it.”

“One thing I’ve learned over the years is how easy it is for some people to say horrible things about me when I’m not around, but how hard it is for them to look me in the eye and say it to my face.”

As for whether Zinke meant what he said, Zinke was asked just that in an interview with The Daily Inter Lake a week after the 2014 campaign event.

“I would say this: It was perhaps a little harsh,” the former Navy SEAL told the Montana newspaper. “But I had two friends in Benghazi, and the truth does matter.”

Zinke was referring to the former secretary of state’s handling of the 2012 terrorist attack in Libya in which four Americans were killed.

In her new book, What Happened, released Tuesday, Clinton reflects on her election defeat to Trump.

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Chelsea, Bill, and Hillary Clinton after the first Clinton-Dole debate in Hartford, Connecticut. October 6, 1996.
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A stop during Hillary Clinton's senate campaign, summer 2000. 
A stop during Hillary Clinton's senate campaign, summer 2000. 
Campaigning at a rally in Athens, Texas. August 28, 1992. 
Campaigning at a rally in Athens, Texas. August 28, 1992. 
The Clintons, with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Cherie Blair, rest after a receiving line before a state dinner. February 5,1998.
The Clintons, with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Cherie Blair, rest after a receiving line before a state dinner. February 5,1998.
At a campaign rally in Balboa Park, San Diego, following Bill Clinton’s presidential debate with Bob Dole there. October 16, 1996.
At a campaign rally in Balboa Park, San Diego, following Bill Clinton’s presidential debate with Bob Dole there. October 16, 1996.
Firing a US Secret Service sniper rifle at a water-filled jug while touring the Secret Service training center in Beltsville, Maryland. The jug can be seen exploding down-range. October 4, 1997. 
Firing a US Secret Service sniper rifle at a water-filled jug while touring the Secret Service training center in Beltsville, Maryland. The jug can be seen exploding down-range. October 4, 1997. 
At the state dinner in the White House for Chinese President Jiang Zemin. October 29, 1997. 
At the state dinner in the White House for Chinese President Jiang Zemin. October 29, 1997. 
President Clinton and Hillary Clinton in a meeting about healthcare reform in the White House's Roosevelt Room.&nbsp;February 17, 1993.&nbsp;<u></u>
President Clinton and Hillary Clinton in a meeting about healthcare reform in the White House's Roosevelt Room. February 17, 1993. 
Addressing the press and taking questions on a wide range of topics in the East Room of the White House. The seventy-two-minute Q&amp;A came months after reporters began demanding that Clinton discuss her role in criticized commodity trades and an Arkansas land deal first reported on in 1992. It was her only such event during her tenure as First Lady. April 22, 1994.&nbsp;
Speaking with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright aboard Air Force One en route to Europe. May 26, 1997.&nbsp;
Speaking with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright aboard Air Force One en route to Europe. May 26, 1997. 

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