In a recent op-ed for the Washington Post, Hillary Clinton reiterated her controversial remarks about Donald Trump supporters, calling the term 'deplorable' overly generous.
Breitbart reported that Clinton revisited her polarizing 2016 phrase, "basket of deplorables," in an adapted excerpt from her forthcoming book published on Wednesday. Originally made during the contentious election campaign where she faced Donald Trump, the term referred to a faction of Trump's electorate.
In her op-ed for the Washington Post, taken from her book titled "Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty," Clinton contextualizes her past remarks.
In 2016, Clinton categorized these supporters based on their alignment with ideologies she described as antithetical to American values, including racism, sexism, and xenophobia. Her decision to revisit this characterization comes at a time of heightened political polarization.
Clinton's commentary extends beyond a mere restatement of her past view. She correlates the behaviors and events involving Trump supporters, specifically pointing to the violence in Charlottesville and the Capitol insurrection on January 6.
All of this has likely sent Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign into a panic as Clinton's "Deplorables" moment was seen as an absolute disaster that sunk her campaign. Harris does not want anything to do with Clinton's "Deplorable" moment.
During a notable encounter with a former white supremacist who assists in deprogramming extremists, Clinton derived insights that shaped her current view.
She expressed that while her initial comments were politically damaging, they underscored a crucial reality about a subset of Trump’s supporters. In other words, she has no regrets in painting all Trump supporters as bigoted racists who should be otherized and thrown out of polite society.
Clinton’s assertions have not been without criticism. Following the publication of her remarks in the op-ed, a flurry of rebukes emerged from Republican figures. They accused her of fostering divisiveness and suggested she intended to marginalize Trump supporters further by equating them with extremists.
Moreover, Clinton discusses the balance between holding harmful ideologies accountable and fostering empathy. She acknowledges the challenge of empathizing with those who hold radically opposing views but emphasizes the importance of seeking redemption even for those deemed 'irredeemable.'
As if Hillary Clinton, who has profited off the suffering of others for decades, is in any position to deem which Americans are 'irredeemable' and of those which ones are deserving of saving.
In her op-ed, Hillary Clinton highlighted the inadequacy of the word 'deplorable' to fully encapsulate the depth of extremism displayed by certain factions within the Trump supporters. Reflecting on the events that have transpired since her initial comment, she argues that the label may have been too mild considering the overt acts of bigotry and violence that have been publicized.
Not only has Clinton learned nothing since 2016, but she's only become more bitter and extreme and she is reminding Americans why she should never have come close to being president.
One of the more controversial aspects of Clinton’s argument involves the prescription for addressing what she terms the 'cult' of MAGA followers.
In a previous interview with CNN in 2023, she advocated for the formal deprogramming of individuals entrenched in extremist beliefs—an idea that has sparked significant debate about freedom of belief and the role of government in regulating ideology.
Throughout her op-ed, Clinton reflects on the dual nature of American society — one that holds the potential for great empathy and redemption but also harbors deep-seated hatred and division. S
he calls for a strategy that involves both confronting the extremist elements head-on and nurturing paths to reintegration for those who leave such groups.
As America continues to navigate its deep political divides, Clinton's reflections offer a potent reminder of the social and ideological battles still at play. Her comments urge a continued vigilance against hate and a comprehensive approach to healing societal rifts.