Hillary Clinton Really Does Like It Hot (Video)

On Monday, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton appeared on “The Breakfast Club,” New York’s 105.1 FM radio morning show. Considering that the station has one of the largest rhythm and blues and hip-hop audiences in the state, many thought that Clinton was strategically reaching out to black listeners—all the more so when she responded to an interviewer’s question about what she carries with her at all times.

“Hot sauce,” the front-runner said, prompting many to draw comparisons with much-quoted lyrics from Beyonce’s recent hit, “Formation” (“I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag”).

Although some were quick to suggest a possible “textbook attempt at pandering” on Clinton’s part, past media reports quickly surfaced that reinforced the candidate’s spicy claim. Her office told Condé Nast Traveler in 2012, for example, that Clinton always packs “a mini bottle of Tabasco sauce.”

Clinton’s documented affinity goes all the way back to husband Bill’s tenure as president. The Associated Press reports that during their eight years in the White House, Clinton had “a collection of more than 100 hot sauces.”

Time magazine went so far as to report the specifics after the recent media hubbub:

The Clinton campaign has confirmed to TIME the type and brand of hot sauce now toted by the Democratic front runner for the presidential nomination: Ninja Squirrel, a Sriracha from the in-house brand of Texas-based Whole Foods Market. “And we continue to carry chili flakes and jalapeños around,” says Clinton campaign spokesperson Nick Merrill.

An important question in this fiery debate: Does Bernie Sanders also enjoy feeling the burn?

“His bold ideas are his hot sauce,” spokesman Michael Briggs told Time.

Watch Clinton’s “Breakfast Club” interview—with hosts DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God and Angela Yee—below:

—Posted by Emma Niles.