Hillary Clinton has once again ignited political firestorms by labeling Republican women as “handmaidens to the patriarchy,” adding to her long history of disparaging remarks against those who don’t share her political views.

At a Glance

• Clinton recently criticized Republican women as “handmaidens to the patriarchy” during an appearance at New York’s 92nd Street Y
• This continues her pattern of controversial remarks, including her infamous “basket of deplorables” comment about Trump supporters in 2016
• Critics point to Clinton’s own history of defending powerful men like Bill Clinton and Harvey Weinstein
• The comments have reignited debates about women’s political autonomy and whether Clinton respects women who don’t share her views

Clinton’s Latest Controversial Statement

During a recent conversation with Margaret Hoover at New York’s 92nd Street Y, Hillary Clinton stirred controversy by characterizing Republican women as “handmaidens to the patriarchy.” This statement has drawn significant backlash, particularly from conservative circles who view it as another example of Clinton’s tendency to question the intelligence and independence of women who don’t align with her political viewpoints. The remark is especially notable given Clinton’s own political history and personal choices regarding powerful men in her life.

Clinton’s comments follow a pattern of controversial remarks targeting those with opposing political views. Many conservatives see this as part of a broader issue where liberal women, particularly Clinton, claim to champion women’s rights while simultaneously demeaning women who exercise their right to different political opinions. This disconnect has become a focal point of criticism against Clinton and raises questions about the sincerity of her advocacy for women.

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— Jared (@zerofiveniner) July 27, 2024

History of Controversial Remarks

This isn’t the first time Clinton has made statements that have alienated large groups of Americans. During the 2016 presidential campaign, she famously referred to “half” of Trump supporters as a “basket of deplorables,” characterizing them as “racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic.” The comment immediately sparked outrage and became a rallying cry for Trump supporters, who embraced the “deplorable” label as a badge of honor. While Clinton later expressed regret for using the term “half,” the damage to her campaign was already done.

“You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables.”, said Hillary Clinton.

Trump and his campaign quickly capitalized on Clinton’s remarks, portraying them as evidence of her elitism and disconnection from ordinary Americans. Trump himself responded on Twitter, writing: “Wow, Hillary Clinton was SO INSULTING to my supporters, millions of amazing, hard working people. I think it will cost her at the Polls!” Many political analysts have since cited the “deplorables” comment as a significant factor in Clinton’s eventual election loss, comparing it to Mitt Romney’s damaging “47 percent” remark from the 2012 campaign.

Clinton’s Questionable Record on Supporting Women

Critics point to Clinton’s own complicated history with powerful men as evidence of hypocrisy in her criticism of Republican women. Her political rise is inextricably linked to her husband’s career, and she stood by Bill Clinton during his impeachment and the Monica Lewinsky scandal. During this period, she famously coined the term “vast rightwing conspiracy” to deflect allegations against him. Even years later, Clinton denied that Bill’s relationship with Lewinsky, a White House intern, represented an abuse of power, despite the obvious power imbalance.

“Just when Hillary Clinton said she was going to start running a positive campaign, she ripped off her mask and revealed her true contempt for everyday Americans.”, said Jason Miller.

Further complicating Clinton’s stance is her long relationship with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, a major Democratic donor and fundraiser. Reports suggest Clinton was warned about Weinstein’s behavior toward women but maintained her association with him. After the 2016 election, Clinton suggested that women who didn’t vote for her were influenced by the men in their lives, again questioning women’s ability to make independent political decisions.

Impact on Political Discourse

Clinton’s repeated disparaging remarks about women who don’t share her political views have had a lasting impact on American political discourse. They have contributed to the deepening political divide and mistrust between conservatives and liberals. Many Republican women feel that their political choices are consistently delegitimized by prominent Democratic women who claim to speak for all women. This has created a tension in feminist politics, where conservative women often feel excluded from mainstream feminist movements.

As the United States continues to grapple with political polarization, remarks like Clinton’s “handmaidens to the patriarchy” comment serve to deepen existing divisions rather than foster understanding. For many conservative Americans, especially women, such statements reinforce the perception that Democratic leaders like Clinton don’t respect their autonomy or intelligence. This dynamic continues to shape American politics and underscores the challenges of bridging the country’s deep cultural divides.