New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez didn't become queen of Twitter by letting bad faith attacks go unpunished, as White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany is learning the hard way.
During a press briefing, McEnany referred to AOC as "Biden adviser Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez" and the Congresswoman was far from pleased.
She expressed her anger with some expertly thrown Twitter shade.
.@PressSec wouldn't be the first person to mistake a women of color for having a lower position or title than she does, but Kayleigh - in case you haven't picked up a newspaper in two years, I'm a Congresswoman. https://t.co/3FRHo7dpTL
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 8, 2020
The @PressSec comment is steeped in a long, hurtful, & horrendous history of stripping women of color of titles and diminishing them to “the help."
Perhaps she isn't aware that what she did is mired in racist history. If that is the case, I look forward to her apology tomorrow.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 8, 2020
Drag her, Queen!
— Travis Akers (@travisakers) June 8, 2020
McEnany responded on Twitter, defending herself by pointing out she had referred to AOC as a Congresswoman earlier in her statement.
Read the transcript, Congresswoman @AOC ⬇️ https://t.co/knvCMmVjWh pic.twitter.com/q6uRWROYNA
— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) June 8, 2020
pic.twitter.com/GldB10orI0
— Sage cannon (@Scannon146) June 9, 2020
Twitter didn't seem to agree with McEnany's version of events, however.
Read your own transcript, you literally called her an adviser in the same sentence, I've highlighted it below to help you out. pic.twitter.com/iAa131C4W3
— It's my circus, and they are my monkeys! (@urtoez75) June 8, 2020
I'll take AOC over McEnany any day of the week.
— Nunya (@MAGAsucksbigly) June 9, 2020
I made mistake of reading some of the comments. Wow, there are some horrifically mean, racist misogynistic people here. @pressSec you encourage these people. Sorry @AOC for what you are subjected to. Your terrific work speaks for itself.
— Brenda Rodgers (@Brendabirdie) June 8, 2020
McEnany should have known better.
Twitter is where AOC is at her strongest.
As always, do not come for @AOC if she did not call for you. Best you learn this, Kayleigh.
— ResisterSister (@asweetgrace) June 8, 2020
We love you Representative @AOC !
— Joshua Wolf (@winningwithwolf) June 8, 2020
McEnany has a long history of racist and bigoted comments.
She participated in the birther movement, implying Barack Obama was born in Kenya because of the color of his skin.
She also ran a right-wing blog which peddled racist conspiracy theories.
@PressSec is a racist, this is known.
— will 🌹🏳️🌈🍷 (@31WA) June 8, 2020
Reading the comments here, the MAGA crowd are really running scared. You keep on doing what you're doing - you're doing great!
— Åsa Neenan (@Theneenans) June 8, 2020
There's so much disagreement because folks are so used to the norm of not respectfully acknowledging the titles of POC.
— Stacy (@cestmoistacy) June 9, 2020
Though AOC called for an apology from McEnany, most people assumed none would ever come.
I'd love to see @PressSec apologize but the best her type can manage is “I'm sorry you felt....."
— Joe (@DadOfDoggos) June 8, 2020
She won't apologize. That would require self-reflection, which she is incapable of.
— Dodes (@racheld) June 8, 2020
People without a conscience don't apologize, they double down. I would expect nothing less of @PressSec based on her desire to continue defending her boss.
— BlackLivesMatter (@BennyDGinger) June 8, 2020
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez earned her place as a U.S. Congresswoman and isn't going to accept any lesser labels anytime soon.
@rubyrose/Threads
@miss_gem_k_sands/Threads and @rubyrose/Threads
@fayeraecairns/Instagram
@mjnewberry/Instagram
@loadingscreens/Instagram
@k.m._1905/Instagram
@blackwings84/Instagram
@feministtere/Instagram
@roman_bully/Instagram
@claudiamarz/Instagram
@melvinalveslamy1/Instagram