In a tweet that the Motley Crue guitarist has since thought better of and deleted, Nikki Sixx earlier this morning called New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (colloquially known as AOC) a “whack job.” Here’s a screen shot that I emailed to myself early this morning before the tweet was pulled:

Sixx’s tweet was likely inspired by AOC’s recent comments that she’d like to see the Department of Homeland Security dissolved. On the surface that might seem like a terrible idea — think of all the terrorists who would suddenly get in to our precious country!! — until you read further and discover that that DHS has only been around since 2002, and before that time other branches of the government handled its functions. AOC squarely blamed the Bush administration for many of the inhumane policies currently carried out by DHS, such as stuffing migrants into overfilled, understaffed detention centers at the border and holding them for extended periods of time in conditions that would make anyone’s stomach turn. Besides which: gun deaths caused by ordinary Americans are a way bigger problem in this country than those at the hands of terrorists.

Sixx’s opinion isn’t all that surprising. As an old, out-of-touch white man with lots of money who likely stands to lose some of it if AOC’s progressive policies were to ever go through, it’s no shock at all that Sixx sees her as a threat. And while it’s certainly possible that ingrained sexism plays a role in Sixx’s opinion, nothing about this tweet is overtly misogynistic — i.e. he’s not commenting on her appearance, calling her “emotional,” etc. — so I’m going to leave that out of the conversation for now.

There is also this: the day after Trump was elected president, Sixx tweeted “I love America. I hope we can grow from this,” which is as middling as one could get at such a dark moment… but only months later he said he “can’t wait” until Trump is no longer president. So, like, who the fuck knows with this guy.

The responses to Sixx’s tweet, unlike his own, are still out in the Twitterverse for all to see. And hooooooo boy, are those loaded with all sorts of appalling, racist, misogynistic, juvenile and generally shitty comments! Most people who replied seemed to agree with Nikki, and here are just a few examples of what folks felt comfortable putting out on the public internet:

Why are yall surprised. This dude went on a Nigger rant during a concert. — PiNeal (@Pi_neal) July 11, 2019

Forget that she's a politician for a minute…if you met Cortez at a party & she showed her usual personality most would run as fast as possible 'cause she is a whack job. Not crazy/hot/fun but just plain nuts like talking to herself & wearing garbage bags nuts. — The Best Amendment (@BestAmendment) July 11, 2019

But she can dance on a rooftop..mmmhmmmm — Mike Lewis (@mike13lewis) July 11, 2019

She’s an actress. — Anthony La Femina ❌ (@iamgod911) July 11, 2019

A complete nut job and its scary that she's convincing to those that are so brainwashed. — AdventureswithLaureOlivia (@LauresMommy) July 11, 2019

It's funny how many leftists are triggered by the tweet. It really shows how fanatical they are when trying to defend the indefensible.@AOC is a whack job AND the most radical politician in the history of this nation. But reality is non-existent to the radical left. — JG Texidor 🇺🇸 🇵🇷 (@gtten) July 11, 2019

She is so out of touch with reality. She is also a narcissist. — NoSurvivors (@survivors_no) July 11, 2019

I seriously don't know how she got elected? pic.twitter.com/Yo4khBhYVr — Kristin Nielsen (@K10Nielsen) July 11, 2019

Oh Nikki I know ur happily married with a baby on the way but I fall more in love with you every day when you speak the truth! I find it incredibly sexy when a guy speaks the truth — Stephanie C. (@Stephanie_4994) July 11, 2019

Thankfully a few folks chimed in with reason in AOC’s defense:

Wow. Seriously surprised you would say that. Take a look in the mirror and repress rewind to when you were her age. You wanted to change shit. She’s actually trying to do the same. She represents where I was born and raised. @AOC is authentic & I appreciate her. — waynerose (@wayne_m_rose) July 11, 2019

Apparently not. But pretend she is an older, white, male and listen to what she has to say. See, now it is cogent, insightful, and empathetic. That you cannot see that without this mental exercise says a lot about you. — Tin Maddog (@CestaLegal) July 11, 2019

Of all the whack ass corrupt and downright idiotic politicians currently in power, you have an issue with @AOC ? If you want to use your position of influence to talk politics it should at least be against those doing real true harm to America and its citizens — Jeffrey Mate' (@videojamm) July 11, 2019

Rich oligarchs, stagnant in their forever congressional seats, getting paid by lobbyists, have trained you to believe what is terrible and what isn't. All so they keep getting rich off of you. She is speaking truth to power. — VileTasteOfDeath (@VileOf) July 11, 2019

She has no imperial power. We have a basic idiot “running” the country, children dying, locked in cages. But AOC is a whack job. But AOC is “emotional” (because she’s a woman). C’mon, man. — THE GOAT underground metal podcast (@thegoatmetal) July 11, 2019

In case you need a further reminder of how fucked the American political landscape is, feel free to browse this page of additional responses to Nikki’s tweet (you may have to scroll down a bit). Be forewarned.