@Paradox_Brony
 
After reading over that comment I realize that I did not explain why the hatred for Sunset existed.
 
Full disclosure I have never hated Sunset Shimmer. I have loved her design and concept since it was revealed all the way back in February 2013 as part Masquerade Ball/Crystal Princess Toy Collection.
 
To the best of my memory I believe that Sunset is where the terminology of Twilight’s Clones and Twilight’s Counterparts began. Other than that I believe the criticism came from 4 things.
 

@Azyrite
 
@KiwiScribbles
 
Interestingly this is simply a trick of language. None of these characters are fundamentally Twilight clones. More accurately they’re merely counterparts and foils to Twilight as a character.
 
Trixie’s problem was her ego.
 
Sunset’s problem was her burning, unchecked ambition.
 
Moondancer’s problem was her rejection of everypony out of fear of abandonment.
 
(Not Featured) Sci-Twi’s problem was identical to Twilight’s. A pursuit of knowledge and dismissing all that you blind yourself to in the process.
 
Starlight’s problem was a need for control and a desire for revenge born out of deep fear.
 
 
@Background Pony #3EBE
 
As far as this statement goes I’m afraid it’s a little misleading. Just a little.
 
There has been hatred and/or criticism of every single counterpart but only 2 still last to this day.
 
Trixie was hated out of the gate primarily for her personality. Characters like her are always polarizing and that’s why her hate continues even now. That said there are those who know the detailed history of the fandom and hate her for another reason, Seth & EQD.
 
Sunset’s hatred started with the first EQG Movie and didn’t end until a bit after Rainbow Rocks was out and making the rounds.
 
Moondancer never really had any hate, a fair bit of criticism as a “Twilight re-color”, but the quality of the episode quickly snuffed out any venom the fandom had.
 
Sci-Twi had plenty of criticism, but I don’t remember any hate. Being revealed at the end of Rainbow Rocks gave plenty of time for the fandom to get their complaints out of their system.
 
Starlight’s hatred is the only one that’s really alive and well to this day. And any hatered Sunset gets is from the back end of the Sunset vs. Starlight argument.
 
Being as objective as I can, Starlight’s hate comes from legitimate criticism over her motivations and her decisions in individual episodes. However those who repeatedly vocalize this often take that criticism too far.
 
In all fairness, once she was added to the main cast it was 100% clear this was Twilight’s 5th Counterpart. And some will argue 5 Twilight Sparkles is a few too many.

Is Moondancer learning how to play, whilst having the best possible hand‽‽‽

@KiwiScribbles  
‘sigh’ Shame

@KiwiScribbles  
Except it’s been like red since rainbow rocks.

@Light Blade  
thats because its red, I took it from the episode where sunset and starlight meet, her magic is red there.

Sunset’s magic doesn’t look quite turquoise.

@KiwiScribbles  
And they have a stripe running down their manes and tails, and Twilight’s, Sunset’s, and Starlight’s cutie marks are possibly the sun, Moondancer’s and trixie’s cutie mark are of the moon, plus they each represent the light in a different form, Twilight is either the sun setting or raising, sunset is the sun setting in the evening, Starlight is the aurora with the sun, Moondancer is the moon reflecting light from the sun, trixie is the moon with illusions.

@Azyrite  
i really hate to break it to you but when you look up “twilight’s counterparts” Trixie is there. She also has the same magic color and they both where unicorn so theres the physical similarity.

Equestria’s Friendship Poker Challenge!

Trixie was never a twilight clone. There’s no similarity either physically, thematically or personality wise.

@Background Pony #3EBE  
i guess im just in the wrong circles

You have false info. Everyone doesn’t hate ‘Twilight’s clones’. They are very much loved.

@Havock  
Using a bit of our culture, huh sunset?
 
Also, ahhh Trixie, that’s cheating.

I love how Sunset is using Dollars.

Ponies play poker

Twilight will invent non magical methods of holding many cards to prevent more attempts at cheating via magic by Trixie