Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has revisited her notorious 2016 remarks in which she categorized a segment of Donald Trump’s supporters as "deplorables," articulating that her previous comment may have been too gentle.

In her Washington Post op-ed, Hillary Clinton contends that her controversial 2016 "basket of deplorables" comment was insufficient to describe the severity of extremist behaviors she has observed since, as Breitbart reports.

In a recent op-ed published by the Washington Post, adapted from her forthcoming book Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty, Clinton delves into her past comments and their continuing relevance.

The failed 2016 presidential candidate reflects on her controversial label for Trump's fervent base, enhancing her critique in light of recent events.

Clinton's engagement with a former white supremacist who now aids others in leaving hate groups inspired her to revisit her comments.

She discusses the intersection of her personal experiences and the broader political climate that has fostered extremist ideologies.

She admits that her choice of words in 2016 might have been politically disadvantageous yet maintains it revealed an "important truth" about the growing visibility and impact of extremist supporters of Trump, illustrated, she says, by incidents like Charlottesville and the Jan. 6 Capitol unrest.

Clinton Stands by "Deplorables" Description

Her op-ed clarifies that while she regrets the phrasing, the essence of her message holds true.

Clinton argues that these events have only stripped the mask of a harsher reality, suggesting "deplorable" was too kind a descriptor for the hate and violent extremism on display.

"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," Clinton wrote. "The people for whom his bigotry is a feature, not a bug," she added.

These remarks have stirred up both renewed support and fresh criticism, showing the divided reception of her steadfast viewpoint.

Empathy and Radical Views in Political Discourse

Despite her firm stance on what she says are the dangerous elements within Trump's base, Clinton expressed a commitment to radical empathy.

Rooted in her Christian faith, she advocates for understanding even those with whom she has deep disagreements.

"Empathy for people you agree with is easy. Empathy for someone you deeply, passionately disagree with is hard but necessary," she stated, highlighting the difficulty and necessity of empathy in today’s polarized environment.

Clinton’s reflections in the op-ed extend to her view that some Trump supporters, particularly those involved in or supportive of events like the Capitol demonstrations, represent views that are "irredeemable" and not reflective of American values.

Controversial Remarks on Deprogramming MAGA Followers

Clinton's stance has not softened over time. In a 2023 CNN interview, she discussed the need for "formal deprogramming" of what she terms MAGA extremists, a statement that has elicited strong reactions across the political spectrum.

This call for deprogramming, according to Clinton, is essential to address the cult-like adherence she perceives within segments of Trump's following, underscored by their persistent support despite various controversies and criminal activities associated with some followers.

Clinton's dialogue on these issues serves both as a reflection on her own political journey and a commentary on the broader societal and political challenges facing the United States.