In a recent interview with CNN, Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State, expressed her concerns about the unwavering support for ex-President Trump, suggesting that many of his followers might need a “formal deprogramming.”
Speaking with Christiane Amanpour, Clinton drew a distinction between what she perceives as the rational faction of the Republican Party and the more extreme group loyal to Trump. She reminisced about past times when both parties had staunch partisans but lacked the extreme fringes seen today. Clinton emphasized that many of these hardline Trump supporters seem to blindly follow his directives, despite his dwindling credibility and ongoing legal challenges. She posed the question of when they might decide to distance themselves from him.
Amanpour appeared to find Clinton’s comments amusing. Clinton went on to predict that Trump would likely be the GOP’s 2024 nominee. However, she expressed optimism that President Biden would triumph over him in the election. When asked about her feelings regarding Trump’s potential return to the political arena, especially given his victory over her in 2016, Clinton described him as an authoritarian figure who taps into the emotional and psychological needs of a segment of the population. She further elaborated that this group of Republicans seems drawn to Trump’s style of politics for various reasons, whether it’s due to prejudices or personal grievances.
Drawing a parallel to her 2016 statement where she labeled a portion of Trump’s supporters as a “basket of deplorables,” Clinton reiterated her belief that Trump’s influence resembles that of a cult. She expressed hope that a victory by Biden might disrupt this momentum, allowing the Republican Party to return to more traditional debates and nominate more accountable candidates.
Clinton’s past remarks, where she referred to Trump as an “illegitimate president” and suggested external influences, including Russia, played a role in her 2016 defeat, have drawn criticism. She has consistently advocated for the recognition of Biden’s 2020 win, while also highlighting the challenges posed by those who question its legitimacy.
