Self-described socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has become known for both her contentious remarks and her active presence on Twitter.
On Thursday, Ocasio-Cortez faced a scathing rebuke from a Democrat in her own district… but she’s remained slow to respond after claiming to have technical difficulties with Twitter.
Ocasio-Cortez began her Thursday by losing a high-profile endorsement.
Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. served on the New York city council from 2001 until last year. In fact, Diaz represented some of the same neighborhoods currently represented by Ocasio-Cortez in the U.S. House.
And Diaz, a Democrat, is urging his constituents to vote against Ocasio-Cortez.
“I think she’s been lucky, but right now the Hispanic community — I’m a Hispanic like her — and we’re turning,” Diaz said on Fox & Friends Thursday.
“She lost me a long time ago when she opposed the 25,000 jobs that Amazon wants to bring to New York. She lost me there, but then she continued doing these socialist things against the police officers, in favor of releasing criminals into the street, favoring the open borders, allowing all kinds of people to come to the borders without checking. She opposes the police officers in the subway.”
Diaz instead endorsed Ocasio-Cortez’ Republican opponent.
“I am asking the Hispanic community and my parishioners and my fellow ministers to support Tina Forte in the Republican line,” Diaz, a Pentecostal minister, said on Fox News.
Republican Tina Forte, a businesswoman nicknamed “Bronx Tina,” is running against Ocasio-Cortez in New York’s 14th district. Forte has been trailing in the polls given the district’s blue leanings.
Still, Diaz predicted a victory for Forte.
“We are fed up, and we are asking everyone to vote for Tina Forte,” Diaz continued. “Tina Forte will be our next congresswoman.”
Normally, Ocasio-Cortez might have tweeted about Diaz… but she’s been struggling with Twitter glitches ever since an online meltdown over Twitter owner Elon Musk.
On Tuesday, Musk floated the idea of charging $8 per month to verify a Twitter account, while allowing unverified users to continue for free. In effect, he talked about selling blue checkmarks.
Ocasio-Cortez snapped at Musk.
“Lmao at a billionaire earnestly trying to sell people on the idea that ‘free speech’ is actually a $8/mo subscription plan,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Tuesday.
Musk replied Wednesday, “Your feedback is appreciated, now pay $8.”
In a different tweet on Wednesday, Musk slammed Ocasio-Cortez for selling $58 hoodies on her website.
During Musk’s tweetstorm, Ocasio-Cortez claimed to be experiencing difficulties with her account.
“My twitter mentions/notifications conveniently aren’t working tonight, so I was informed via text that I seem to have gotten under a certain billionaire’s skin,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Wednesday. “Just a reminder that you will never [buy] your way out of insecurity, folks.”
Ocasio-Cortez eventually addressed Musk’s remarks.
“Proud of this and always will be,” Ocasio-Cortez said later that day, replying to Musk’s tweet about the $58 hoodies. “My workers are union, make a living wage, have full healthcare, and aren’t subject to racist treatment in their workplaces. Items made in USA. You should try it sometime instead of union-busting.”
Later, the congresswoman tweeted, “One guy’s business plan for a $44 billion over-leveraged purchase is apparently to run around and individually ask people for $8. Remember that next time you question yourself or your qualifications.”
Apparently, Ocasio-Cortez is looking at her Twitter notifications again.
How long until she gets it under control again?
Proud of this and always will be.
My workers are union, make a living wage, have full healthcare, and aren’t subject to racist treatment in their workplaces. Items are made in USA.
Team AOC honors and respects working people. You should try it sometime instead of union-busting. https://t.co/TCOh3IHXlF
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 3, 2022
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2022
The Horn editorial team