Katie Couric faced criticism Tuesday after making remarks about Trump supporters that were likened to Hillary Clinton's "deplorables" comment. She spoke about "socioeconomic disparities" and "anti-intellectualism" among Trump's base on Bill Maher's podcast.
Couric mentioned that the shift from industrial to technological sectors in the U.S. economy has fostered jealousy and resentment. Her comments drew a parallel with Clinton's 2016 statement, where she labeled Trump's followers as a "basket of deplorables."
Harris Faulkner of "Outnumbered" drew comparisons between Couric's words and Clinton's controversial comment. She questioned Couric's current role, suggesting it echoed the sentiment of "basket of deplorables."
Fox News' Dr. Nicole Saphier found Couric's discussion with Maher "cringeworthy" and expressed how disconnected it seemed, even to someone like herself with a high socioeconomic status. She criticized Couric for being out of touch with everyday Americans' struggles.
Saphier was critical of Couric, saying her comments disregarded the real suffering of many Americans. She suggested that Couric might be suited for a role in the White House, given her perspective.
On "Outnumbered," talk show host Ben Ferguson related Couric's remarks to media calls for "deprogramming" Trump voters. He emphasized that economic concerns are vital and dismissing them as ignorance could push people to vote against such elitist views.
Ferguson also highlighted that most Americans do not have wealth like Couric's, estimated at $110 million. He implied that her financial disconnect might skew her understanding of ordinary people's issues.
The backlash against Couric continues as commentators criticize her views and question her awareness of the general public's concerns. This controversy echoes past political missteps that have alienated voters and influenced electoral outcomes.