Hillary Clinton is once again making headlines by revisiting her infamous "basket of deplorables" remark, which she originally used during the 2016 presidential election to describe half of Donald Trump’s supporters. In a recent op-ed published in The Washington Post, Clinton not only defended her previous statements but also escalated her rhetoric, claiming that the word "deplorable" may have been too mild for some of Trump’s backers.
The op-ed, adapted from her latest memoir Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty, reflects on the heated political climate of recent years. Clinton wrote, "In 2016, I famously described half of Trump’s supporters as ‘the basket of deplorables.’ I was talking about the people who are drawn to his racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia — you name it. The people for whom his bigotry is a feature, not a bug".
Hillary Clinton Doubles Down on Calling Trump Supporters ‘Deplorables,’ Says it’s ‘Too Kind a Word’
"If anything, ‘deplorable’ is too kind a word for the hate and violent extremism we’ve seen from Trump supporters.”https://t.co/tYk043Tw7C pic.twitter.com/tLheZolIYm
— Trump2024_no_matter_what (@TexasTrump2024) September 27, 2024
Clinton conceded that the remark was "bad politics" but stood by its accuracy. Referring to subsequent events such as the Charlottesville rally and the January 6 Capitol riot, she argued that the extremism and violence seen among certain Trump supporters validated her comment. "The masks have come off, and if anything, ‘deplorable’ is too kind a word for the hate and violent extremism we’ve seen from some Trump supporters," she emphasized.
Clinton’s original comment, made during the 2016 campaign, became a flashpoint for conservative criticism and arguably played a role in mobilizing Trump’s base. At the time, she characterized "half" of Trump supporters as belonging to a "basket of deplorables," labeling them as "racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic" individuals. Following backlash, she later apologized, saying she regretted painting Trump voters with too broad a brush.
Hillary Clinton left this Ambassador to die at the hands of a mob.
Never forget Benghazi , Libya. pic.twitter.com/sVvqauJSNs
— JOSH DUNLAP (@JDunlap1974) September 25, 2024
However, in her recent reflections, Clinton doubled down on the sentiment, stating that while she would like to believe "there’s goodness in everyone," her experience has shown that some individuals are "irredeemable." She pointed specifically to those involved in the January 6 insurrection, many of whom have been convicted of crimes like sedition.
Clinton's remarks have reignited tensions, especially as speculation swirls about her future political ambitions. With rumors circulating that she might return to public service in a potential Kamala Harris administration, her comments are seen by some as part of a broader effort to remain relevant in the political arena. Despite this, Clinton has not confirmed any plans to run for office again, but she has left the door open to serving in some capacity, saying she would be willing to assist "in any way possible".
These comments come amid broader concerns about increasing political polarization in the U.S. Some conservative commentators argue that Clinton's continued focus on labeling Trump supporters reflects an unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with a significant portion of the electorate. Critics argue that her remarks could deepen the divide between the two political camps, making reconciliation more difficult.
Clinton’s statements have been met with predictable responses from her political opponents. Many on the right have accused her of fueling division and exhibiting contempt for everyday Americans who supported Trump. Meanwhile, her defenders claim that Clinton is simply speaking truth to power, highlighting the dangerous elements within the Trump movement that led to the January 6 attack.
