Seba News Desk: Clinton revisits her "deplorables" remark, now viewing it as too lenient for the extremism of some Trump supporters, while exploring paths to redemption. - Fox News
Hillary Clinton has expressed that the term "deplorables" is "too kind" to describe certain supporters of former President Trump.
In an op-ed published in The Washington Post, titled "To err is human, to empathize is superhuman," the former Democratic presidential candidate reflects on her difficulty in empathizing with "radicalized individuals," referencing her controversial "basket of deplorables" remark from 2016.
While Clinton initially issued an apology for her statement, she now contends that it conveyed "an important truth" regarding Trump supporters.
"In 2016, I famously referred to a portion of Trump’s supporters as ‘the basket of deplorables.’ I was addressing those attracted to his racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, and Islamophobia—those for whom his bigotry is a defining characteristic. Although it was an unfortunate choice of words and poor political strategy, it also highlighted a significant reality. Consider everything that has transpired since, from Charlottesville to January 6," Clinton articulated.
She further remarked, "The masks have come off, and if anything, ‘deplorable’ is too lenient a term for the hatred and violent extremism exhibited by some Trump supporters."
Clinton also recounted her interactions with Shannon Foley, a former White supremacist who now dedicates her efforts to deprogramming and rehabilitating individuals leaving hate groups. Clinton expressed admiration for the empathy Foley demonstrated even towards the most egregious bigots.
"I pondered whether Shannon’s compassionate and thoughtful approach could provide insights not only for aiding radicalized individuals but also for mending our fractured nation. What will it take to extricate us from this turmoil? Is there a way to cleanse the fever swamps so that we can unite on more stable and elevated ground?" Clinton reflected.
Clinton acknowledged that she still holds some belief in the "objectively true" aspects of her "deplorable" remark, while expressing a desire to adopt a more compassionate perspective.
Reflecting on her 2016 statement regarding the "deplorables," she remarked, "Some of those individuals, they are irredeemable." While she maintains that this assertion remains valid, particularly in light of the lack of remorse exhibited by many convicted participants of the January 6 insurrection, she also expressed a wish to embrace a more hopeful outlook. "I would like to believe that there is inherent goodness in everyone and a possibility for redemption, no matter how unlikely," she concluded.
In her initial remarks, Clinton stated, "To be grossly generalistic, one could categorize half of Trump’s supporters as belonging to what I refer to as the basket of deplorables. This includes individuals who are racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, and Islamophobic—such individuals do exist, and unfortunately, he has elevated their status."
The following day, she reiterated that her comment was "grossly generalistic," yet continued to criticize then-candidate Donald Trump for his perceived bigotry.
"I regret using the term ‘half’—that was incorrect. However, it is important to clarify that what is truly ‘deplorable’ is Donald Trump’s decision to appoint a prominent advocate of the so-called ‘alt-right’ movement to lead his campaign, and the fact that figures like David Duke and other white supremacists view him as a proponent of their beliefs," Clinton stated.
খবর/তথ্যের বিষয়বস্তুর সঙ্গে মিল আছে এবং আপত্তিজনক নয়- এমন মন্তব্যই প্রদর্শিত হবে। মন্তব্যগুলো পাঠকের নিজস্ব মতামত, সেবা হট নিউজ এর দায়ভার কখনই নেবে না।