So it turns out when you insult people, in the era of social media, they just might turn it into a badge of honor.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton criticized some of Republican Donald Trump’s supporters during a speech at a New York City fundraiser on Friday night.
“You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right? The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic -- you name it.”
Clinton expressed regret for the remark, but it was too late to stop Trump’s supporters on Twitter to post their anger in 140 characters or less under the hashtag #basketofdeplorables.
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Some took a straightforward approach, posting group photos of supporters.
More of those racist white people @HillaryClinton labeled #BasketOfDeplorables pic.twitter.com/1AnpheHNyO
— Jorge 🇺🇸 MAGA (@AmericanMex067) September 10, 2016
According 2 bigot @hillaryclinton one of us is deplorable. Hispanics & Vets aren't deplorable. #BasketOfDeplorables pic.twitter.com/EdKwIk93eP
— Jorge 🇺🇸 MAGA (@AmericanMex067) September 10, 2016
#BasketOfDeplorables It's a compliment when a deplorable person calls us deplorable. Means we're on the right side. pic.twitter.com/ENBlj6o4QA
— Madeline Moreira, Esq. (@MadelineEsquire) September 10, 2016
Other Trump supporters broke out Photoshop and offered up some creative visual editing to make their opinions known.
That includes a proposed recasting of the Sylvester Stallone film “The Expendables” with Trump and his supporters.
A parody account for GOP vice presidential nominee Mike Pence offered a knockoff version of a question from the television gameshow “Jeopardy.”
What is a #BasketOfDeplorables? https://t.co/U64l8eUMjq
— The Vice President (@MikePenceVP) September 10, 2016
Another Trump supporter featured a rather old-school approach to the “deplorables” slogan.
We are the proud and brave #BasketOfDeplorables pic.twitter.com/tqotqFrPdg
— Hispanics for Trump (@HispanicsTrump) September 10, 2016
It’s worth mentioning that not everyone using the hashtag is backing Trump.
White supremacists, cavemen, & other members of the #BasketOfDeplorables will vote. Democrats, make sure you do too! pic.twitter.com/hly4g3AfWt
— Jonathan Riley (@realJonRiley) September 10, 2016
Then, of course, there are the literal baskets of deplorables.
#BasketOfDeplorables? Truth Hurts
— ViewFromTheOutside (@TBIMobile) September 10, 2016
@HunterHRC2016 @onecaliberal@tkdmike@RepublicanSwine@bennydiego @kimmie8264 pic.twitter.com/iDJb8UJ4GU
These baskets, by the way, are available for both sides.
Material from Bloomberg was used in this report. John Hilliard can be reached at john.hilliard@globe.com