--- title: "Hillary Clinton calls McConaughey's independent vote plea 'unfortunate'" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/hillary-clinton-calls-mcconaugheys-independent-vote-plea-unfortunate" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/hillary-clinton-calls-mcconaugheys-independent-vote-plea-unfortunate" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/hillary-clinton-calls-mcconaugheys-independent-vote-plea-unfortunate.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/hillary-clinton-calls-mcconaugheys-independent-vote-plea-unfortunate" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-10-23T04:05:15.834Z" source_reported: "2026-10-23T00:20:33.000Z" updated: "2026-10-23T04:05:15.834Z" trust_score: 80 critic_score: 95 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-23T05:00:19.176960+00:00" --- # Hillary Clinton calls McConaughey's independent vote plea 'unfortunate' *The former Secretary of State responded to the actor's social media video urging voters to consider third-party candidates.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 80 of 100, higher is better. Trust 80: multiple named sources, voting record data, and coverage by several independent outlets raise corroboration. - Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Critic 95: article explains relevance, quotes both sides, provides specific data, and notes unknown voting status. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15: headline matches content; no sensational language or clickbait present. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Matthew McConaughey posted a video encouraging voters to consider independent candidates, questioning the idea that an independent vote is wasted. - Hillary Clinton responded to McConaughey's video, calling his suggestion "unfortunate" and arguing it could harm Democrats' efforts to oppose Trump. - McConaughey stated his message was about fairness and reality, not endorsing specific candidates, and that independents represent the largest political identity in the US. - Clinton appeared on the podcast "High Stakes" with Kara Swisher, where McConaughey's video was played before her response. Actor Matthew McConaughey shared a video on social media urging voters to consider third-party candidates and to question the notion that an independent vote is wasted. He stated his message was about fairness and reality, not endorsing any specific candidate or party. McConaughey argued that independents constitute the largest political identity in the United States and should be part of the political fight as potential winners, not spoilers. The video was played for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the podcast "High Stakes," hosted by journalist Kara Swisher. Clinton responded by calling McConaughey's encouragement "unfortunate," particularly given the timing before the midterm elections. She stated that suggesting independent candidates is a better choice is detrimental when Democrats are working to counter what she described as "Trump's corruption, impunity and extreme damage to the country." Clinton asserted that Democrats represent a broad range of Americans and that not voting for them to defeat Republicans would allow Trump "two more unchecked years." Voting records from The Texas Tribune show McConaughey has been registered in Travis County, Texas, since 2012 and voted in the 2018 and 2020 elections, but has not voted in a party primary since 2012. ## Disagreement on Clinton's reaction The Independent and The Independent (US) reported that Hillary Clinton "chastised" and "made her disapproval clear" regarding McConaughey's video. In contrast, The Gateway Pundit stated Clinton "slammed" McConaughey, while Breitbart reported she "lectured" him. Washington Times described Clinton as "miffed," and capitalisminstitute.org said she "labeled" his push "unfortunate." ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention Matthew McConaughey's specific arguments for why independent candidates should be considered, such as his points about fairness, reality, or that independents represent the largest political identity in the US. The centre-rated outlets did not cover this story. ## Who covered it Shares of the 7 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 29% (2) - Centre: 0% (0) - Right: 71% (5) 0 of 7 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-23T05:00:19.176960+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-23T06:00:14.476Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Both The Independent and The Independent (US) published full reports that detailed McConaughey's video message and his arguments for supporting independent candidates. They included his full quotes about the "wasted vote" and the need for independents to be in the fight. Both outlets also prominently featured Hillary Clinton's response, quoting her statement that it was "unfortunate" for someone with McConaughey's reach to suggest independent candidates, especially with midterms approaching. They also included details about McConaughey's voting record and reactions from other social media users who criticised his stance. ### Centre No separate framing summary. ### Right - The right-rated reports focused on Hillary Clinton's reaction to Matthew McConaughey's video. The Gateway Pundit reported Clinton "slammed" McConaughey over his calls for independent candidates. PJ Media stated Clinton "likes Independents, provided they help Democrats." Washington Times reported Clinton was "miffed" by McConaughey's push for independent candidates. Breitbart stated Clinton "lectured" McConaughey for his call to back independent candidates. Capitalisminstitute.org reported Clinton "labeled" McConaughey's push "unfortunate" and that it "undercuts Democrats trying to check President Trump." **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - low: 1 - mixed: 4 - high: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Gateway Pundit](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/hillary-clinton-slams-matthew-mcconaughey-really-unfortunate-calls) — Hillary Clinton Slams Matthew McConaughey Over “Really Unfortunate” Calls to Support Independent Candidates * The Gateway Pundit * by Jordan Conradson - [PJ Media](https://pjmedia.com/david-manney/2026/10/22/hillary-clinton-likes-independents-provided-they-help-democrats-n4958593) — Hillary Clinton Likes Independents, Provided They Help Democrats - [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/22/hillary-clinton-miffed-matthew-mcconaughey-pushing-voters-toward) — Hillary Clinton miffed with Matthew McConaughey for pushing voters toward independent candidates - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/matthew-mcconaughey-hillary-clinton-voting-independent-b3071493.html) — Matthew McConaughey chastised by Hillary Clinton over voting plea - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/matthew-mcconaughey-hillary-clinton-voting-independent-b3071493.html) — Matthew McConaughey chastised by Hillary Clinton over voting plea - [Breitbart](https://breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/10/22/video-hillary-clinton-lectures-matthew-mcconaughey-for-his-unfortunate-call-for-voters-to-back-independent-candidates) — Hillary Clinton Lectures Matthew McConaughey for His 'Unfortunate' Call for Voters to Back Independent Candidates - [capitalisminstitute.org](https://capitalisminstitute.org/clinton-brands-mcconaugheys-independent-pitch-unfortunate-ahead-of-midterms) — Clinton Slams McConaughey's Independent Vote Push ## Questions **What did Matthew McConaughey say in his video?** Matthew McConaughey posted a video urging voters to consider independent candidates and to question the idea that an independent vote is wasted. He stated his message was about fairness and reality, not endorsing specific candidates, and argued that independents represent the largest political identity in the US. **How did Hillary Clinton respond to McConaughey's video?** Hillary Clinton described McConaughey's encouragement for voters to consider independent candidates as "unfortunate." She stated that such suggestions are detrimental when Democrats are working to counter "Trump's corruption, impunity and extreme damage to the country," and that not voting for Democrats could allow Trump "two more unchecked years." **What is Matthew McConaughey's voting history?** Voting records indicate Matthew McConaughey has been registered in Travis County, Texas, since 2012. He voted in the 2018 and 2020 elections but has not voted in a party primary since 2012. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/hillary-clinton-calls-mcconaugheys-independent-vote-plea-unfortunate. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Hillary Clinton calls McConaughey's independent vote plea 'unfortunate'", https://mediabias.news/politics/hillary-clinton-calls-mcconaugheys-independent-vote-plea-unfortunate