Hillary Clinton announced her 2016 presidential bid on Sunday, and while it was no surprise, her campaign launch captivated every corner of America.
Following a reported delay in her highly anticipated announcement, Clinton's official campaign kicked off shortly after 3 p.m. ET. Reaction on Twitter, where the news broke, was immediate.
One of the first tweets out of the gate was from Clinton's daughter Chelsea, who shared a link to her mother's new campaign site moments after it went live.
Very proud of you Mom! @HillaryClinton: http://t.co/PvMlg82cU2— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) April 12, 2015
Husband Bill Clinton's Twitter account chimed in with an immediate retweet of his wife's announcement.
The former first lady, senator and secretary of state's campaign formally launched with a new website, featuring a logo depicting the letter H with an arrow through it.
"I'm getting ready to do something, too. I'm running for president," Clinton says in her first two-minute campaign video, which focuses on the middle class.
Congratulations quickly poured in from Democratic lawmakers across the United States, who threw their support behind Clinton.
I want to welcome Hillary Clinton to the presidential field. Looking forward to hearing her thoughts during the race: http://t.co/NtmC0hbzrI— D Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) April 12, 2015
Excited that @hillaryclinton is IN and continuing the fight for the middle class #ReadyForHillary #Hillary2016— Chuck Schumer (@chuckschumer) April 12, 2015
.@HillaryClinton has a vision for a better future. Help make it a reality, join #OffTheSidelines & support Hillary: http://t.co/isQPOfIBRP— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) April 12, 2015
Republicans were also quick to react, jumping on the opportunity to criticize Clinton's announcement. Former Florida governor and likely 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush, who is also part of a political family, urged voters to commit to "stopping her" to get new policy ideas into the White House.
We must do better than Hillary. If you're committed to stopping her, add your name now. https://t.co/GUtxMw19Oh— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) April 12, 2015
Bush, who is the brother and son of former U.S. presidents George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush, respectively, also called out Clinton's foreign policy. He asked for a return to conservative ideals in a video posted on the YouTube account of a political action committee associated with his still unconfirmed campaign.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who officially announced his campaign in March, and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who confirmed his bid last week, also weighed in.
Is the world a safer place because Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State? No: http://t.co/LVfxjeUX62 pic.twitter.com/UJQ8Gsa2ro— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 12, 2015
Hillary Clinton does not think the law applies to her. Join us at http://t.co/aPlpQf91IWhttps://t.co/taI9y2ZPYt— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 12, 2015
Take the pledge to #StopHillary. http://t.co/dAV3Lxitjm Sign & join 100,000 strong for a Republican White House. pic.twitter.com/bGw2ZSSJmL— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) April 12, 2015
It wasn't just politicians though, celebs got in on the action as well.
I feel @HillaryClinton will be a great President for the American people and she will make sure that everyone has a voice!— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 12, 2015
Actress America Ferrara offered a flashback to the 2008 campaign while once again throwing her support behind Clinton.
I believed in her then, I believe in her now. @HillaryClinton #mypresident Me and @ambertamblyn stumping in 2008 pic.twitter.com/z8USWRabdb— America Ferrera (@AmericaFerrera) April 12, 2015
If Clinton wins the Democratic nomination, it will be the first time either of the two major U.S. political parties will have a female presidential candidate. Two women have won nominations as vice-presidential candidates, with Geraldine Ferraro vying for the Democrats in 1984, and Sarah Palin representing the Republicans in 2008.