Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Fires Back at GOP Rep Who Called Her a “Girl or Whatever”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been killing it. The Democratic socialist defeated long-term Rep. Joe Crowley in New York’s 14th congressional district last month. But there are a number of old, white Republican men who can’t seem to wrap their heads around the fact that this 28-year-old Bronx-born, Puerto Rican woman keeps on rising. In fact, Rep. Ron DeSantis from Florida thought it was okay to refer to Cortez in a condescending way and she was so NOT having it.

In the middle of campaigning in Orange Park, Florida this past weekend, DeSantis went on to say: “You look at this girl Ocasio-Cortez or whatever she is, I mean, she’s in a totally different universe. It’s basically socialism wrapped in ignorance.”

First off, the only ignorant one here is DeSantis—obviously! What kind of human being goes out of their way to put down a female candidate by referring to her as a “girl or whatever” in the middle of a campaign? A sexist, racist and ignorant animal—that’s who. But don’t you worry because Cortez didn’t let this slide. She fired back with the best tweet response ever.

“Rep DeSantis, it seems you’re confused as to ‘whatever I am.” I am a Puerto Rican woman. It’s strange you don’t know what that is, given that 75,000 Puerto Ricans have relocated to Florida in the 10 mos since Maria. But I’m sure these new FL voters appreciate your comments.”

Rep DeSantis, it seems you‘re confused as to “whatever I am.”

I am a Puerto Rican woman. It‘s strange you don’t know what that is, given that ~75,000 Puerto Ricans have relocated to Florida in the 10 mos since María.

But I’m sure these new FL voters appreciate your comments! https://t.co/xJlroSe5Hs

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 23, 2018

This was not a good look for DeSantis especially considering the voting power Puerto Ricans are going to have in Florida in the upcoming elections. According to reports, an estimated 1.2 million Puerto Ricans now reside in Florida. This is bound to stir up the politics in that state.

It’s quite obvious that DeSantis along with other white, male Republicans are pretty intimidated by how far Cortez has managed to get. A few weeks ago conservative TV host, John Cardillo went on a Twitter rant questioning Cortez’s upbringing. It was a pretty pathetic attempt to discredit her. Trump hasn’t attempted to discredit Cortez just yet but she’s ready for him if or when he does. Shortly after her win she made an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert where she spoke about her stunning victory and how Trump can’t deal with a Latina from the Bronx.

These conservative men really don’t know what to do with themselves when a young, brown woman hits the political scene and actually knows what she’s doing. She even won the 15th congressional district primary election which she didn’t even run for—that’s how much people are noticing her. Voters are embracing her ideals and it’s a scary reality for older, white male Republicans—that’s for sure.