Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defends not standing up for Trump after critic compares her to a 'sullen' teen
Depending on whom you ask — and what their politics are — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was either an “American hero,” or a “sullen” teenager during Tuesday’s State of the Union.
Like Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the New York congresswoman drew attention for her reactions to President Trump‘s speech. Ocasio-Cortez — who wore a white cape in a nod to women’s rights and a pin honoring Jakelin Caal Maquin, one of the two migrant children who have died in U.S. custody — did appear jubilant during other moments of the address. She cheered and high-fived Rep. Nydia Velázquez when Trump acknowledged the record number of women elected to Congress.
But when others gave the president a standing ovation, she remained seated, looking solemn and declining to clap. She also reportedly refused to stand and applaud when Melania Trump was mentioned, but she was not the only Democrat to do so.
Some championed her show of resistance.
NO SMILING. NO CLAPPING. NO OVATION. AN AMERICAN HERO. pic.twitter.com/dHw2IHQWkd
— Ξvan Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz) February 6, 2019
Everything she does makes me love her more and more
— KarmicLaw (@That60sbaby) February 6, 2019
A Queen @AOC pic.twitter.com/6rGEpUFS2B
— Mr. Saudade (@comfykushin247) February 6, 2019
I stan @AOC and this white cape from the It's Handled by Olivia Pope for the Olivia Pope Collection
— Ira (@ira) February 6, 2019
@AOC got a death stare on tonight, get it queen #SOTU
— Rebecca Dordolo (@radordolo) February 6, 2019
But conservative critics lashed out at her, accusing her of being bratty and “grumpy.”
Things Ocasio-Cortez didn't applaud;
– Record low African-American & Hispanic unemployment
– Stopping sex traffickers
– The "common good"
– ICE agent who saved 300 girls from smugglers
– Not killing full term babies
– VeteransThings Ocasio-Cortez did applaud;
– Herself.
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) February 6, 2019
Grumpy little thing… pic.twitter.com/EWEurxjwtd
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) February 6, 2019
.@AOC Let me guess, Trump took your Crayolas, told you that you could have them back after the speech, and here you are pissed about it. #StateOfTheUnion2019 #sotu #SOTU19 pic.twitter.com/4EHHJsjmnv
— Brian Yegge (@brianyegge) February 6, 2019
When journalist and author Peggy Noonan scolded her for coming across as “sullen” and “teenaged,” Ocasio-Cortez responded with a tweet defending her behavior. The State of the Union was an “embarrassment” and “unsettling,” she argued, and she would not pretend otherwise.
Why should I be “spirited and warm” for this embarrassment of a #SOTU?
Tonight was an unsettling night for our country. The president failed to offer any plan, any vision at all, for our future.
We’re flying without a pilot. And I‘m not here to comfort anyone about that fact. https://t.co/7bu3QXFMnC
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 6, 2019
Others spoke out in her defense, with Rep. Velázquez calling out a critic.
Hi @TheCJPearson, I'm not "the woman sitting next to her". @AOC and I — and millions like us — are the future of this country. And you're right to be afraid of us.
But you should learn my name. https://t.co/frL8ikNDcV
— Nydia M Velázquez (@ReElectNydia) February 6, 2019
Wow, @Peggynoonannyc. Why didn't you just tell @AOC "You look prettier when you smile." https://t.co/A0gGiQTNxE
— Caitlin Clarkson Pereira (@CaitlinForCT) February 6, 2019
Exactly, @AOC. Repubs enable and cheer this sexist, misogynist, xenophobic, homophobic, anti-Semitic, racist, morally-bankrupt visionless presidential imposter. We don’t need Dems to do the same. Keep on resisting… https://t.co/CPPvcDI8kc
— Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) February 6, 2019
Ocasio-Cortez also addressed the situation on Instagram Stories, where she referred to Trump as the “guy who threw paper towels” at Hurricane Maria survivors.
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