Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has criticized "disgusting" conservative outlets over the publishing of a fake picture of her naked in a bathtub, saying her treatment by the press is indicative of how all women in power are treated.
The New York Democrat called out the right-wing website The Daily Caller after it ran a story titled: "Here's the photo some people described as a nude selfie of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez."
Read more: Fake nude photo of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez debunked by foot fetishist
Retweeting a screenshot of the headline to her 2.25 million followers, Ocasio-Cortez said that it was "only a matter of time" before this sort of media coverage about the photo would occur as "GOP have been losing their mind + frothing at the mouth all week."
Ocasio-Cortez also accused The Daily Mail of sending a reporter to her boyfriend's relatives' house to offer them cash for stories, suggesting this is proof that "women in leadership face more scrutiny. Period."
In a follow-up tweet, Ocasio-Cortez explained "for those out of the loop" that The Daily Caller reposted the fake nude photo of her "and refused to indicate it was fake in the title as well."
"Completely disgusting behavior from Conservative outlets. No wonder they defended Kavanaugh so fiercely," said Ocasio-Cortez.
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh faced several accusations of sexual misconduct during his confirmation proceedings, including claims from Christine Blasey Ford that he sexually assaulted her at a party in 1982.
Ocasio-Cortez is one of the rising stars in the Democratic Party, and at 29 years old is the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. She has become known for her fiery responses to criticism and strong attacks against the Washington status quo since the start of her political career.
After a video clip of her dancing while she was in college was posted online in an apparent attempt to embarrass her, Ocasio-Cortez responded by uploading a video of her dancing outside her congressional office.
"If they want to make an example out of me, I will gladly be one," she said in another tweet. "Hopefully we can be an example of dedication, courage, and persistence under fire. Or compassion, thoughtfulness, curiosity, justice, and zeal. I also hope to be an example of not tolerating nonsense, too."
Ocasio-Cortez was replying to a tweet from actress Zoe Kazan, who said the treatment of the congresswoman is not only designed to shame her, but also "to shame all young women into thinking they should not/could not run for office—that old videos or pictures or rumors of them would surface, that they could never dress/act/speak unimpeachably enough."
Uncommon Knowledge
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About the writer
Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, domestic policy ... Read more
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