Tony Perkins denounces Hillary Clinton for calling Trump supporters a 'basket of deplorables'
Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, denounced Hillary Clinton for referring to supporters of Donald Trump as a "basket of deplorables." He went on to voice his concerns regarding what Clinton plans to do with people she viewed as "deplorable."
Clinton made her remark about Trump's supporters at a fundraiser after Trump spoke at the Values Voters Summit, hosted by the Family Research Council, in Washington D.C. on Friday.
"To just be grossly generalistic, you can put half of Trump supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables," Clinton said. "Right? Racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic, you name it," she added.
Perkins fired back at Clinton by accusing her of receiving donations from countries that punish "deplorable people."
"Hillary's use of the phrase 'deplorable' is as revealing as it is insulting. Hillary Clinton's foundation has received donations from countries all over the world that imprison and even execute those they deem 'deplorable,'" Perkins said in a statement.
He continued, "Christians and other Americans who refuse to embrace the Obama/Clinton vision of America should be very concerned and should ask what Hillary Clinton has planned for those she deems 'deplorable?'"
Perkins went on to accuse Obama and Clinton of creating policies that marginalize people whose values do not align with theirs.
Trump insinuated that Clinton could lose supporters because of her remark. Trump's vice presidential running mate, Mike Pence gave a speech at the Values Voters Summit on Saturday, insisting that Trump's supporters are hardworking Americans and "not a basket of anything."
Clinton issued a statement the next day apologizing for being "grossly generalistic." She stated that she regrets using the term "half" to refer to Trump's supporters as "deplorables." She acknowledged that many of Trump's supporters are hard-working and vowed to unite the country. However, she added that she would continue to call out bigotry and racism during the campaign period.
Clinton was able to raise $6 million at the fundraiser. Some of her supporters reportedly donated up to $50,000.
