#BasketOfDeplorables-gate: Angry backlash after Hillary calls half of Trump supporters bigots
Baskets have never been so controversial. Hillary Clinton’s now-infamous “baskets of deplorables” jibe ignited a fierce political spat online: Trump got angry, Clinton somewhat apologized, and then Trump used an Obama quote to attempt a checkmate.
READ MORE: Clinton campaign worries over tight race, while Bernie backers say ‘Get your sh*t together’
It all started when Clinton, speaking at a LGBT fundraiser in New York, described half of Trump’s supporters as comprising “a basket of deplorables.”
“You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump's supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables … the racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic – you name it,” Clinton said, even though admitting she was being “grossly generalistic.” She went on to say that these people “are not America.”
Hillary Clinton just insulted millions of hard-working Americans simply because they don't want to vote for her.https://t.co/utnuAkvdcJ
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) 10 сентября 2016 г.
.@HillaryClinton
— Wayne Dupree (@WayneDupreeShow) September 10, 2016
Attacking your opponent is one thing. Attacking the American ppl is another. We're not deplorables, we just don't like U
Trump immediately jumped on the comment calling it “SO INSULTING” and claimed it would cost Hillary dearly at the polls.
Wow, Hillary Clinton was SO INSULTING to my supporters, millions of amazing, hard working people. I think it will cost her at the Polls!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 10 сентября 2016 г.
He quickly changed his tactics to try and play to Clinton’s supporters claiming he would respect them regardless of whether they vote for him or not.
While Hillary said horrible things about my supporters, and while many of her supporters will never vote for me, I still respect them all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 10 сентября 2016 г.
Donald Trump Jr. jumped in to remind the Clintons that they have a “deplorable” political record of their own.
Dear Clintons,
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) 10 сентября 2016 г.
You know what's deplorable?
Being Impeached!!!#BasketOfDeplorables
Even the graves of dead veterans saw a piece of the action, a picture of which Trump Jr. also retweeted.
So Hillary, I'm confused. Are you saying 50% of these belong in your #BasketOfDeplorables or only 25%?#caringpic.twitter.com/R8jaZ7ezEo
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) 10 сентября 2016 г.
Not to be outdone Eric Trump joined in with this zinger. Unfortunately, he used an old rally photo and incorrectly attributed it to Florida, which the unforgiving internet soon pointed out.
Look at the #BasketOfDeplorables in Pensacola Florida last night! What a horrible statement. #CrookedHillarypic.twitter.com/GfevT0KUjd
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) 10 сентября 2016 г.
Clinton issued an apparent apology, claiming to regret the comment but adding that she “won't stop calling out bigotry and racist rhetoric in this campaign.”
Trump then showed a strong hand when he retweeted a 2012 tweet from President Obama reading “RT if you agree: We need a President who is fighting for all Americans, not one who writes off nearly half the country.” Originally aimed at Mitt Romney, the tweet’s context is a blow to Clinton who is probably still searching through Trump’s backlog for something of similar context.
RT if you agree: We need a President who is fighting for all Americans, not one who writes off nearly half the country.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) 18 сентября 2012 г.
#BasketofDeplorables soon trended online, with Twitter users on both sides of the fence getting in on the action.
Having trouble separating the #BasketOfDeplorables from some of the tweets I see in my mentions. pic.twitter.com/13cxqhVVaV
— Taniel (@Taniel) September 10, 2016
We are the proud and brave #BasketOfDeplorablespic.twitter.com/tqotqFrPdg
— Hispanics for Trump (@HispanicsTrump) 10 сентября 2016 г.
Clinton should talk about how Wall Street-funded neoliberals sold out working people before labeling Americans a #BasketOfDeplorables.
— Dr. Jill Stein (@DrJillStein) 10 сентября 2016 г.
#Pence: "They are not a basket of anything. They are Americans & they deserve your respect." #BasketofDeplorablespic.twitter.com/BHNi4glwkD
— Fox News (@FoxNews) 10 сентября 2016 г.
@realDonaldTrump oh no, an insult?! I can't think of any other presidential candidates who insult people...
— Rory Klein (@rory_klein) September 10, 2016
Trump supporters then created the hashtag #DeplorablesForTrump to show their support for the candidate and outrage at Clinton. One tweet read: “#Hillary is truly anti-American. She hates us. For once she told the truth”.
#Hillary is truly anti-American. She hates us. For once she told the truth. #DeplorablesForTrump#MAGApic.twitter.com/L12RiXI2XB
— Steve Hirsch (@Stevenwhirsch99) 10 сентября 2016 г.
@realDonaldTrump@Lars9596@tbgstephen
— Alex Booster (@ABBooster) 10 сентября 2016 г.
I'm feeling so deplorable today!
Is that a bad thing? ☺pic.twitter.com/aTUayWFfMn#BasketOfDeplorables
White supremacists, cavemen, & other members of the #BasketOfDeplorables will vote. Democrats, make sure you do too! pic.twitter.com/hly4g3AfWt
— Jon Riley (@JonRiley7) September 10, 2016
