Firebrand progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—colloquially known as "AOC"— is used to being dismissed by her Republican colleagues in Congress.
Whether they're insulting her intelligence, calling her sexist epithets, or falsely claiming that she hates the United States, Republican lawmakers have spent the past two years painting Ocasio-Cortez as one of the most formidable enemies to Americans' livelihoods and safety.
On Thursday, Ocasio-Cortez called out Republican hypocrisy when she noted that the far-right media outlet Project Veritas—known for secretly recording and selectively editing videos as well as working to plant fake stories to entrap reporters—received half a million dollars from the Paycheck Protection Program loans designed to keep businesses afloat through the pandemic.
AOC noted that Black-owned businesses were routinely shut out of these loans and that Project Veritas has decried government assistance programs.
Black-owned small businesses were widely shut out from accessing PPP loans, yet right-wing disinfo org PV took half a million in public money while decrying direct federal assistance as “radical socialism."
Republicanism in a nutshell.
(Also they're based in Mamaroneck?! 👀) https://t.co/JARqvhgBmD
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 3, 2020
That's when Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)—a fervent supporter of frequent tweeter President Donald Trump—tried to call the Congresswoman out for tweeting too much.
Working together R's & D's helped save the jobs of 55 million Americans through PPP
Work more, tweet less & one day you too can make a difference https://t.co/WprW5OR9LP
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) December 3, 2020
But Ocasio-Cortez—famous for her Twitter clapbacks—wasn't fazed.
Yesterday I recruited 5,000 volunteers to train and tutor kids in my community who are struggling with remote learning, and that was after investigating the Treasury Secretary's rationale for stopping CARES Act funding and voting on House legislation.
What did you do? https://t.co/Ytkq6qZKiI
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 3, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez pointed out that, only one day before, her office recruited thousands of volunteer tutors through her Homework Helpers program to work with students in New York's 14th District struggling with remote learning. Just before that, she'd questioned Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin during a Wednesday House Financial Services Committee hearing.
People relished AOC's retort.
EDUCATE THESE MEN BABY GIRL https://t.co/5Sx1WaJMKI
— 𝒥𝑜𝒸𝑒𝓁𝓎𝓃 (@_jocelyndeleon_) December 3, 2020
Again, she's too good at this. https://t.co/RLHZRqPlqE
— Courtney Anthony (@cjanthony99) December 3, 2020
Not sure why anyone dares tweet at her lol. https://t.co/9BHfOIFJ45
— Ricksky Business (@RickyJIV) December 3, 2020
KEEP THIS ENERRRRGYYYYYY 🥵 https://t.co/C1GAi0MIfS
— Daveen Trentman (@daveentrentmann) December 4, 2020
It's incredible that they keep trying to take shots at her like this only to get egg on their face repeatedly.
I mean, I like eggs too, but seriously. lol https://t.co/0R9eQseXnZ
— Elliot G Fisticuffs (@RyougaSaotome) December 3, 2020
Twitter users found it especially ironic that Rubio would criticize AOC's Twitter presence, considering the President he supports coupled with Rubio's own daily bible verse tweets.
Man who spends most days tweeting Bible verses and worshipping the Tweeter in Chief slags Latina congresswoman as "lazy." Film at 11. https://t.co/LGpZS9fHLm
— Joy WE VOTED!! WEAR A MASK!! Reid 😷) (@JoyAnnReid) December 3, 2020
Republicans suddenly patronizing Democrats to “tweet less" truly has to be the peak of zero self-awareness. https://t.co/IfKiiWDTqT
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) December 3, 2020
"Work more tweet less."
Hey, when you get your face out of Trump's ample backside, do you think you could share that bit of insight with him? https://t.co/QICm14zljh
— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) December 3, 2020
Work more, Tweet less.
Huh.
I'm curious, @marcorubio, what did Trump say when you told him that. Work more, Tweet less. Maybe golf less. Commit less treason. How'd that go? https://t.co/N2zYzHXbaQ
— Stonekettle (@Stonekettle) December 3, 2020