When comedian Pete Davidson debuted a portrait of Hillary Clinton on his leg in December 2017, the internet didn't know whether to laugh, cringe, or applaud. What started as an impulsive holiday tribute turned into one of the most enduring and bizarre pop culture curiosities of the modern era. Years later, while Davidson began the grueling multi-year process of erasing hundreds of body modifications, that exact political portrait remained.
Understanding the backstory requires looking past the shock value of a late-night comedian tattooing a former presidential nominee on his skin. The ink carries a specific personal intent, a surprising reaction from Clinton herself, and a fascinating role in Davidson's broader journey with personal identity and tattoo removal.
Why Pete Davidson Got the Hillary Clinton Tattoo
The ink first appeared on Instagram in late 2017 with a caption calling the former Secretary of State his hero and a Christmas gift to the politician herself. At the time, public reactions ranged from complete confusion to viral amusement. But Davidson clarified his reasoning in subsequent interviews, explaining that the choice wasn't just a random prank.
Davidson noted that he got the tattoo shortly after the 2016 election. His rationale rested on two main pillars: genuine personal admiration and a strange sense of shared empathy.
- The Toughness Factor: Davidson has openly discussed his struggles with public scrutiny and mental health. He viewed Clinton as someone who weathered an extraordinary amount of public vitriol and political pressure.
- The "Cheer Up" Mission: In interviews, Davidson explained that because he knew what it felt like to be at the center of intense public backlash, he wanted to do something small to make her smile. He viewed the permanent portrait as a lighthearted gesture of solidarity during a difficult chapter for her career.
Rather than treating the office holder with stiff political reverence, Davidson treated the portrait as an homage to a resilient public figure whom he considered a personal friend.
Hillary Clinton’s Hilarious Response
The story took an even stranger turn when the subject of the tattoo actually saw it. Instead of ignoring the viral post, Clinton leaned directly into the joke. She commented on Davidson's original post, thanking him and joking that it made things "significantly less awkward" since she claimed she had a Pete Davidson tattoo of her own for years.
The connection didn't end in the comments section. Years later, when Davidson began the painful and expensive process of burning away nearly 200 tattoos via laser treatments, Clinton reached out directly. According to Davidson, she texted him to ask a very specific question: whether he was planning to laser her off his leg. Davidson reassured her immediately, declaring that "Hillary stays".
Surviving the Great Tattoo Erase-Thon
The decision to keep the Clinton portrait is even more striking when viewed against the backdrop of Davidson's total physical reinvention. Like many young adults who accumulate rapid body art during periods of emotional turmoil, Davidson eventually decided that the vast majority of his ink no longer represented who he was.
He embarked on a massive removal campaign to clear close to 200 tattoos to make acting roles easier and to shed remnants of a painful past. Laser removal is notoriously grueling. Davidson has described the sessions as intensely painful, comparing the recovery to healing from severe burns.
Amidst clearing his arms, chest, and torso, a select few sentimental items survived the purge, including his Wu-Tang Clan ink and the iconic Hillary portrait on his right leg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Pete Davidson Hillary Clinton tattoo located?
The portrait is located on his right leg. It depicts Clinton wearing one of her signature power suits.
Did Pete Davidson actually remove the tattoo?
No. While Davidson has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars removing nearly 200 other tattoos, he confirmed in interviews that the Hillary Clinton tattoo is staying.
What did Hillary Clinton say about it?
She played along with the joke on social media when it was first posted and later checked in via text message during his removal process to ensure she wasn't being erased.
Why did Pete Davidson get so many tattoos in the first place?
Davidson has noted that many of his past tattoos were impulsive decisions made during periods of intense personal pain, which is why he later chose to undergo extensive laser removal to clear his skin.
