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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Twitter clapbacks show the kids are alright

It's now the 28-year-old's world and we are all just living in it.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at her victory party on June 26, 2018. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at her victory party on June 26, 2018. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

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):

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.

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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:

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:

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:

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

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:

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:

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

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.

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.