“He didn’t elaborate on what would be ‘nasty.’”

Bullies usually don't elaborate. Being vague lets you fill in your own demons, which is more frightening.

Also plausible deniability when the thugs he's whistling to go out and bash gays or blacks or Mexicans or whoever (athough in their minds he was giving them permission). "I never said go bash heads. No, I meant nasty as in peacefully, as in not sugarcoating the hard truth, which can be nasty."