Donald Trump hit back later Friday at attacks by Hillary Clinton over his early morning Twitter rant on former Miss Universe Alicia Machado, referencing a line in an infamous campaign ad against Barack Obama in 2008.

Here's the Republican candidate's tweet:

For those few people knocking me for tweeting at three o'clock in the morning, at least you know I will be there, awake, to answer the call! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2016



Trump was widely slammed after he raged against Clinton, ultimately accusing her of helping Machado become a United States citizen so she could bring his past with her up in Monday night's debate.

Trump's storm began at 5:30 a.m.

The "awake" reference harkens back to Clinton's 2008 ad questioning whether then-rival Obama could face emergencies as president.

"It's 3 a.m., and your children are safe and asleep," an announcer said as a telephone rang. "Who do you want answering the phone?"

Even Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ripped Trump for this tirade:

Is this what keeps you up at night, @realDonaldTrump? Thinking of new & interesting ways to call women fat or ugly or sluts? — Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 30, 2016



You never tweet at 3am with ways to help students getting crushed by debt or seniors struggling on Social Security, @realDonaldTrump. — Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 30, 2016



Nope, @realDonaldTrump: the only things that keep your mind racing at night are your next racist, sexist tweets & disgusting lies. — Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) September 30, 2016

