Conservatives recoiled Friday at former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent suggestion that there should be a “formal deprogramming” of supporters of former President Donald Trump.
After Clinton uttered the claim in a Thursday interview with CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour, prominent conservatives and multiple GOP lawmakers ripped the high-profile Democrat.
At one point in the interview, Clinton lamented that political debates in the country have grown more difficult because of extremist Trump supporters’ hold on the Republican Party.
She stated, “I mean, we had very strong partisans in both parties in the past, and we had very bitter battles over all kinds of things… but there wasn’t this little tail of extremism, waving, you know, wagging the dog of the Republican Party as it is today.”
Clinton blamed this on Trump, adding, “And sadly, so many of those extremists, those MAGA extremists take their marching orders from Donald Trump, who has no credibility left by any measure. He’s only in it for himself. He’s now defending himself in civil actions and criminal actions. And when do they break with him?”
The former 2016 Democratic presidential candidate then argued that “formal” measures might need to be taken to de-program them.
She said, “Because at some point, you know, maybe there needs to be a formal deprogramming of the cult members, but something needs to happen.”
Amanpour could be seen on video chuckling at Clinton’s “deprogramming” remark.
But conservative critics blasted Clinton after a clip of her comment made its way to X.
The Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway expressed concern over Clinton’s statement, writing, “Authoritarianism watch. Former Democrat nominee for President calls for re-education of political opponents.”
Authoritarianism watch. Former Democrat nominee for President calls for re-education of political opponents. https://t.co/DhtJIzHmxr
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) October 6, 2023
U.K. politician and conservative commentator Nigel Farage weighed in on Clinton’s nerve for saying such a thing. He posted, “The arrogance of this woman and her loathing of ordinary people knows no bounds.”
The arrogance of this woman and her loathing of ordinary people knows no bounds. https://t.co/Rr9opSzXIv
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) October 6, 2023
Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald provided his analysis of her quote, saying, “As she gets increasingly bitter about her 2016 defeat — even when you think there’s no way she can — Hillary Clinton is more and more the liberal id: she just spews what liberals really think and feel but know not to say.”
“That’s where ‘Basket of Deplorables’™ came from,” he added.
As she gets increasingly bitter about her 2016 defeat — even when you think there's no way she can — Hillary Clinton is more and more the liberal id: she just spews what liberals really think and feel but know not to say.
That's where "Basket of Deplorables"™ came from: https://t.co/5bSjFWHYa6
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) October 6, 2023
Libs of TikTok account owner Chaya Raichik quipped, “Nothing to see here… just Hillary Clinton wanting to put Republicans into re-education camps.”
Nothing to see here… just Hillary Clinton wanting to put Republicans into re-education camps https://t.co/qLHZDAkowZ
— Chaya Raichik (@ChayaRaichik10) October 6, 2023
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton noted, “Hillary Clinton helps explain why her Democratic allies are trying to jail Trump, Republican Party leaders and activists.”
Hillary Clinton helps explain why her Democratic allies are trying to jail Trump, Republican Party leaders and activists. https://t.co/g22w9P3EkJ
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) October 6, 2023
Digital strategist Greg Price commented, “She’s the wicked witch of the west, the spawn of Satan, and the angry old middle school teacher all wrapped into one.”
She's the wicked witch of the west, the spawn of Satan, and the angry old middle school teacher all wrapped into one. https://t.co/jowlo7NDZD
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 6, 2023
Professor and author Dr. Gad Saad remarked, “She is truly unbelievable.”
She is truly unbelievable. https://t.co/a4SV5hnwBM
— Gad Saad (@GadSaad) October 6, 2023
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., remarked, “Hillary says the quiet part out loud – and reveals the Left’s true agenda. Use government to crush any opposition. Pure authoritarianism.”
Hillary says the quiet part out loud – and reveals the Left’s true agenda. Use government to crush any opposition. Pure authoritarianism https://t.co/2t8QE8MrLY
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 6, 2023
Fox News’ David Asman wrote, “‘Maybe there needs to be a formal deprograming’ of Trump voters. Really? Hillary again exposing the totalitarian temptation of her radical-Alinsky roots. Will Democrats disavow this shameless nod to Soviet-style coercion?”
"Maybe there needs to be a formal deprograming" of Trump voters.
Really? Hillary again exposing the totalitarian temptation of her radical-Alinsky roots. Will Democrats disavow this shameless nod to Soviet-style coercion? https://t.co/T6ZdCFWBJL— David Asman (@DavidAsmanfox) October 6, 2023
Kentucky GOP comms guy Sean Southard posted, “‘Formal Deprogramming’ brought to you by the creator of ‘Baskets of Deplorables.'”
"Formal Deprogramming" brought to you by the creator of "Baskets of Deplorables" https://t.co/sHWbSeu4Qe
— Sean Southard (@SeanSouthardKY) October 6, 2023
Conservative influencer duo The Hodge Twins stated, “Tyrants love re-education camps.”
Hillary Clinton says “maybe there needs to be a formal deprogramming of the cult members” when talking about “MAGA extremist Trump supporters”
Tyrants love re-education campspic.twitter.com/hexpCS3IzF
— Hodgetwins (@hodgetwins) October 6, 2023
Conservative commentator James Lindsay offered an alternative, stating, “Deprogram the Woke.”
Deprogram the Woke. https://t.co/arlsNYtEaT
— James Lindsay, manspreading champion king (@ConceptualJames) October 6, 2023
Fox News contributor Joe Concha slammed Amanpour’s amusement at Clinton’s statement, posting, “Of course, Amanpour, who swears she’s just an objective journalist asking the tough questions, laughs along with Hillary’s deplorables 2.0 moment…”
Of course, Amanpour, who swears she's just an objective journalist asking the tough questions, laughs along with Hillary's deplorables 2.0 moment… https://t.co/ef25SSitKX
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) October 6, 2023
This bitches days are numbered on this earth! She best get right with God! Trump supporters don’t need to be reprogrammed they need to be given big sticks to wack demoncrats on the head to wake them up! Fo you lyin ass biotch!
I have read all your comments and all through them laughing my ass off. All good comments, not going to say anything except I wish they wouldn’t show that cabbage patch face ever again on TV. And we are already programmed to know what we want in life.
If it’s last name is clinton it should be charged with treason.
the poor wretched bimbo still hasn’t gotten over losing. But some entitled stiff still listen to her so this is a real danger. The danger will persist as long as she is running her mouth.
She’s such a miserable bitch.
FJB
TRUMP 2024
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