Jimmy Fallon won an enthusiastic high five from Hillary Clinton on the Tonight Show episode which will air Monday, Sept. 19 on NBC.
Clinton burst out laughing as Fallon put on a germ mask and rubbed on hand sanitizer while greeting the Democratic presidential nominee.
After his gag, Fallon said he was curious how Clinton managed to keep up both cheerful and serious sides of her persona on the campaign trail.
Clinton has to smile on the trail, Fallon said, but also “people kind of want to see this Hillary, which is the badass Hillary,” he added, holding up a picture of straight-faced Hillary.
“People want to see this,” he said. “They want to see someone who’s going to protect us and be strong and tough … you have that reputation.”
“It’s especially tricky for women, Clinton responded. “It just is. Because, you know, there’s a lot of serious things.”
“It is a constant balancing act,” she said. “You know, how do you kind of keep the energy and the positive spirit while taking seriously what you need to.”
The nominee also related how recently when asked about ISIS and Iran, “I was serious. These are important issues that the country needs to talk about.”
However, “the Republicans were saying, oh she looks so serious,” Clinton told Fallon.
“Well you don’t talk about ISIS with a big grin on your face. They’re a barbaric, evil group that we need to defeat and wipe out.”
