President Donald Trump has credited Twitter for putting him in the Oval Office, but politicians’ attempts to connect with mostly younger constituents on social media are often cringeworthy (Chuck Grassley is the rare exception):

@Sn00ki u r right, I would never tax your tanning bed! Pres Obama's tax/spend policy is quite The Situation. but I do rec wearing sunscreen! — John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) June 9, 2010

Had a colonoscopy today. My doctor was actually Russian. Now THAT is what I call RUSSIAN MEDDLING! They put me to sleep w/ same stuff Michael Jackon used. When I woke up, I MOON-walked right out of the hospital! — Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) April 3, 2018

And Kim Jong Un sends back a copy of Green Day’s “American Idiot.” https://t.co/YCGjR2QcgU — Tim Kaine (@timkaine) July 6, 2018

Fortunately, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who shocked the establishment by defeating longtime Rep. Joe Crowley in a Democratic primary last month, is here to help make political Twitter a better place. Like her campaign, Ocasio-Cortez’s tweets are a much-needed breath of fresh air.


Conservatives have been in full freakout mode since Ocasio-Cortez’s surprising upset. One by one, right-wing pundits and outlets have tried to drag her on Twitter, often focusing on her Democratic Socialism label. And Ocasio-Cortez has no time for any of it.

Newsmax’s John Cardillo implied that the story of her upbringing wasn’t genuine in a since-ratioed tweet. Ocasio-Cortez’s responses received over 34 times more likes than Cardillo’s initial effort:

Hey John, 1. I didn’t go to Brown or the Ivy League. I went to BU. Try Google. 2. It is nice. Growing up, it was a good town for working people. My mom scrubbed toilets so I could live here & I grew up seeing how the zip code one is born in determines much of their opportunity. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 1, 2018

3. Your attempt to strip me of my family, my story, my home, and my identity is exemplary of how scared you are of the power of all four of those things. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 1, 2018

Sean Hannity used the following graphic in an attempt to scare his Fox News viewers, but it had the opposite effect for Ocasio-Cortez, who declared this share was indeed an endorsement:

If the clapbacks aren’t enough to prove I’m a Bronxite, folks are more than welcome to keep catching these Twitter hands 😂 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 2, 2018

Then the Daily Caller tried to come for her, claiming hypocrisy because Ocasio-Cortez once ran a business. She had little patience for this common conservative scare tactic:

Surprise! Thank you for this amazing educational opportunity. You can, in fact, pursue an agenda of healthcare, fair wages, and education while supporting small businesses. Having mega-corporations pay their fair share means you can give small mom & pops a break. pic.twitter.com/J2SYcfZ0Nr — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 5, 2018

Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes invoked her ‘scary Socialism’ in a tweet, but Ocasio-Cortez flipped his argument on its head:

It’s almost as if… my platform advances policies… that are already proven to work! 🤔 – Social Security (lift the cap)

– Medicare (for all)

– Tuition-Free K-12 schools (& higher ed)

– Federally mandated minimum wage ($15) They aren’t all my ideas.

But they ARE good ideas! pic.twitter.com/2tOLgCkj34 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 8, 2018

Ocasio-Cortez’s adept usage of social media to respond isn’t limited to the right, as she respectfully clapped back at Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) shortly after her surprising win:

With respect to the Senator, strong, clear advocacy for working class Americans isn’t just for the Bronx. Sen. Sanders won:

– Michigan

– Minnesota

– Kansas

– Nebraska

– Wisconsin

– Indiana We then lost several of those states in the general. What’s the plan to prevent a repeat? https://t.co/99K08qr7SH — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 1, 2018

Her Twitter usage has been so noticeable that even Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly have praised Ocasio-Cortez for being genuine and engaging in open debate:

Thank you, @glennbeck. We may disagree, but I sincerely appreciate the good faith. In the course of my campaign, I’ve shaken hands & knocked doors of GOP voters. I genuinely listen + engage and earn their respect, too. It’s a value of mine to meet people where they’re at. https://t.co/GDdXX6t2et — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) June 30, 2018

Despite being suddenly thrust into the national spotlight, Ocasio-Cortez seems to be taking it all in stride.

Literally my reaction 😂 Running in 2 boroughs was hard enough, thanks! Moms be momming https://t.co/hQQHUVf3M6 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) June 28, 2018

It’s not surprising that a 28-year-old is able to effectively communicate her beliefs on social media, especially when she is three decades younger than the average member of Congress. However, her Twitter activity is further proof that Ocasio-Cortez is poised to be a force on the left for many years to come.

It seems that the GOP is so emotionally committed to keeping children in detention centers that they equate the stance of abolishing ICE with “open borders.” Don’t let their hysteria get to you. A humane, responsible immigration system is possible. https://t.co/JOJJwraEPo — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 4, 2018

If you think the GOP is terrified of my politics now, just wait until they find out about public libraries. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) July 5, 2018

Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez’s opponent in the upcoming general election, Republican Anthony Pappas, still hadn’t created a campaign website or Facebook page, or filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission as of late last month.