In a recent interview with CNN, Hillary Clinton was sharply critical of those who continue to support former President Trump, especially after the events of January 6, 2021. She likened them to followers of a cult, suggesting that there might be a need to “deprogram” such individuals. She criticized Trump for lacking credibility and being self-centered, while speculating that he could be the Republican nominee in 2024. Clinton expressed confidence in President Biden’s ability to win against Trump should he run.
Clinton told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, “One individual threatens our democratic values, consistently disregards the law, and preys on our society’s negative instincts, while the other gets results. Why would choosing between them be difficult?”
A pro-Trump group responded promptly to Clinton’s remarks, accusing her of endorsing “re-education camps.” Karoline Leavitt, spokesperson for Make America Great Again Inc., argued, “President Trump has repeatedly claimed they target him to pave the way to target the public, and Clinton’s remarks validate this.” She went on to forecast a Trump victory in the 2024 elections.
Additionally, Clinton weighed in on the recent developments within the Republican Party, particularly the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) with the help of a minority of GOP members aligning with Democrats. Clinton described the party as being under the grip of its most radical elements. She pointed out that McCarthy’s fall was a result of not appeasing these extreme factions, despite their small numbers.
With Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) emerging as likely contenders for the Speaker’s position, Clinton noted that Trump had recently endorsed Jordan. She portrayed Jordan, a key figure in the conservative Freedom Caucus, as a major player in the GOP’s internal chaos.
Concluding her thoughts, Clinton called for the incoming Republican Speaker to counterbalance the influence of the party’s far right. She emphasized the need to push back against the disproportionate power held by a minority of radical members, expressing hope that the future Speaker would take on this challenge.
