During a campaign speech in Florida over the weekend, Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis mocked Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying she is “in a totally different universe.” His remarks prompted the 28-year-old Democratic Socialist to respond on Monday.
DeSantis is running for governor in Florida. Ocasio-Cortez is campaigning to represent the 14th Congressional District in New York City.
“You look at this girl, Ocasio-Cortez or whatever she is, I mean, she’s in a totally different universe,” DeSantis, 39, said in the speech. “It’s basically socialism wrapped in ignorance. And it’s problematic.”
Video of the speech surfaced on Monday and was highlighted by the HuffPost and other news outlets.
DeSantis also took aim at a PBS “Firing Line” interview in which the 28-year-old criticized Israel’s “occupation of Palestine” and then acknowledged, “I am not the expert on geopolitics on this issue.” Excerpts of the exchange have been featured frequently on Fox News Channel in recent weeks as Republicans have sought to cast Ocasio-Cortez as the new face of the Democratic Party.
“You’re just repeating these canned, left-wing talking points, and you’re somehow the savior of the Democratic Party? Good Lord!” De Santis said, adding: “She has no clue what she’s talking about.”
Ocasio-Cortez fired back in a tweet Monday afternoon.
DeSantis, who recently won the endorsement of President Trump, shot back at Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter Monday evening.
“Trust me,” DeSantis added in a second tweet, “socialism wrapped in ignorance is something Floridians from all walks of life reject.”
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