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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticises Piers Morgan for mocking her former job as a bartender
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has hit back at Piers Morgan after he mocked the New York Democrat’s bartending past.On Sunday, the Good Morning Britain presenter responded to a tweet Ocasio-Cortez posted in which she criticised Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, for being too unqualified to attend the G-20 summit alongside the likes of Theresa May and Emmanuel Macron. “Could be worse … Ivanka could have been a bar-tender 18 months ago [sic],” Morgan wrote on Twitter.Ocasio-Cortez worked as a bartender and as a waitress at a restaurant in Union Square before she defeated Joe Crowley in the June 2018 Democratic primary race to become the youngest congresswoman in United States history. The 29-year-old responded to Morgan’s gibe with a tweet of her own, writing: “Actually, that would make government better – not worse.“Imagine if more people in power spent years of their lives actually working for a living,” she continued.“We’d probably have healthcare and living wages by now.”> Could be worse... Ivanka could have been a bar-tender 18 months ago. https://t.co/xAj8Guc3hH> > — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) > > June 30, 2019The discussion sparked a flurry of scathing responses from supporters of Ocasio-Cortez, with many pointing out that the politician is an elected official, while Trump is not. “Good point, Piers. Remember when the people elected Trump’s kids and in-laws?” one person wrote.> Actually, that would make government better - not worse. > > Imagine if more people in power spent years of their lives actually working for a living. > > We’d probably have healthcare and living wages by now. https://t.co/HoxIyu6ftj> > — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) > > June 30, 2019Andrew Neil, presenter of Politics Live, added: “Not really. A bartender who makes it to Congress is quite something. A pretty blonde who marries into the billionaire class, not so much.”Others questioned why Morgan was condemning Ocasio-Cortez for having a job.> Not really. A bar tender who makes it to Congress is quite something. A pretty blonde who marries into the billionaire class, not so much. https://t.co/DpfIrqfxbj> > — Andrew Neil (@afneil) > > June 30, 2019“Bartending is a career and has requisite qualifications that are relevant to a myriad of issues,” one person wrote.“Just being someone’s daughter is neither a career nor does it have any qualification requirement.”> Nice ratio you got goin' on here Piers. > AOC was elected, Ivanka was not. > AOC does her homework, Ivanka, by all the video evidence we've seen does not. > AOC worked her way to the top, Ivanka did not. > Any questions?> > — Andrea R MD (@AndreaR9Md) > > June 30, 2019Nish Kumar, a British comedian, added: “That would have been great because then she would have had a job.”The exchange began on Sunday when Ocasio-Cortez took issue with Trump’s daughter for attended the meeting of world leaders in Japan last week.> Actually, bartending is a career and has requisite qualifications that are relevant to a myriad of issues. Just being someone’s daughter is neither a career nor does it have any qualification requirement. > > There’s dignity in labor so stop the condescension.> > — Michael Kwabo (@mkwab0) > > June 30, 2019In a video shared by Ocasio-Cortez, Trump is seen attempting and failing to participate in a discussion alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Theresa May, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Also present was Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund.> It may be shocking to some, but being someone’s daughter actually isn’t a career qualification. > > It hurts our diplomatic standing when the President phones it in & the world moves on. > > The US needs our President working the G20. Bringing a qualified diplomat couldn’t hurt either. https://t.co/KCZMXJ8FD9> > — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) > > June 30, 2019“It may be shocking to some, but being someone’s daughter actually isn’t a career qualification,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter. “It hurts our diplomatic standing when the President phones it in & the world moves on. The US needs our President working the G20. Bringing a qualified diplomat couldn’t hurt either.”Ocasio-Cortez’s initial tweet received 191,000 likes and more than 37,000 re-tweets.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called Donald Trump’s “bluff” after he misquoted her in a tweet defending himself against growing calls for his impeachment.
The Democratic congresswoman told broadcaster ABC that the Democrats have “a very real risk of losing the presidency to Donald Trump” if the party does not have a candidate in 2020 who will fight for “true transformational change” in people's lives.
In a tweet posted on Sunday, Mr Trump used an edited version of Ms Ocasio-Cortez’s quote to hit back at those calling for his impeachment.
“'I think we have a very real risk of losing the Presidency to Donald Trump,'" tweeted Trump, citing Ms Ocasio-Cortez's quote. “I agree, and that is the only reason they play the impeach card, which cannot be legally used!”
In response, the New York congresswoman tweeted: “Mr. President, you’re from Queens. You may fool the rest of the country, but I'll call your bluff any day of the week.
“Opening an impeachment inquiry is exactly what we must do when the President obstructs justice, advises witnesses to ignore legal subpoenas & more.”
She concluded her response with “Bye” and a waving-hand emoji.
The back-and-forth between Mr Trump and Ms Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter comes as dozens of Democrats call to impeach the president, even as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has quashed the prospect of impeachment for now.
In her interview with ABC's Jonathan Karl, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said Mr Trump's recent Oval Office meeting with George Stephanopoulos was the latest indication of why Mr Trump should be held accountable to “the rule of law.” During the meeting, the US president acknowledged he would consider accepting information on his political opponents from a foreign government.
“I think every day that passes, the pressure to impeach grows and I think that it's justifiable, I think the evidence continues to come in,” she said.
“I believe that with the president now saying he is willing to break the law to win re-election, that transcends partisanship, it transcends party lines, and this is now about the rule of law in the United States of America.”
Her sentiment is reflective of a recent spike among Democratic voters pushing for impeachment. A poll released on Sunday from NBC News and the Wall Street Journal found that 48 per cent of Democratic voters back impeachment, up from 30 per cent last month. But the poll found that the nation remains largely divided on the issue, with Republican and independent voters opposing impeachment hearings.
Mr Trump's tweet quoting the New York congresswoman came towards the end of a busy Sunday for him on Twitter. This saw him sending Father's Day wishes even to his “worst and most vicious critics, of which there are fewer and fewer”, sharing a video of lawmakers and pundits doubting his 2016 campaign and congratulating golfer Gary Woodland for winning the US Open.
The US president also thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for inaugurating Trump Heights, Israel's newest town on the Golan Heights. The town is located in the same area that Trump recognised in March as being part of sovereign Israel.
Ms Ocasio-Cortez also commented on the candidacy of former vice president Joe Biden on Sunday, saying that he still has some work to do to change his behaviour towards women.
Asked whether she believes Mr Biden understands some of the concerns that have been raised regarding his behaviour, she said: “I think that's something that he has to kind of show the electorate.
"You know, I think that it is an issue where there is a struggle; I'll be completely honest.”
When asked whether Mr Trump would be re-elected if the Democrats do not nominate someone who identifies as a true progressive, Ms Ocasio-Cortez warned against electing a president who advocated for “half-measures”, such as someone who would not fight for a $15 minimum wage, a tuition-free college initiative or advancing women's rights. She reiterated her concern of what that would mean for 2020.
“I think we have a very real risk of losing the presidency,” she said.
Washington Post