(Headline USA) Rep. Alexandria Ocasio–Cortez, D-N.Y., and Twitter CEO Elon Musk sparred again on Thursday after Musk suspended a number of leftist journalists.
In a pair of tweets, Ocasio–Cortez accused Musk of “abuse of power” and suggested he “lay off the proto-fascism” after he temporarily barred journalists from CNN, New York Times, Washington Post and other leftist publications for violating the platform’s policy on doxxing.
“Take a beat and lay off the proto-fascism. Maybe try putting down your phone,” she wrote.
Musk defended his decision to suspend the journalists, arguing they posted “assassination coordinates” by sharing his real-time location.
“They posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service,” Musk said. “Accounts engaged in doxxing receive a temporary 7 day suspension.”
Musk added, “Criticizing me all day long is totally fine, but doxxing my real-time location and endangering my family is not.”
Ocasio–Cortez argued that Musk should just accept being doxxed, claiming that he, like her, is a public figure who should be used to this.
“You’re a public figure. An extremely controversial and powerful one. I get feeling unsafe, but descending into abuse of power + erratically banning journalists only increases the intensity around you,” she said.
You’re a public figure. An extremely controversial and powerful one.
I get feeling unsafe, but descending into abuse of power + erratically banning journalists only increases the intensity around you.
Take a beat and lay off the proto-fascism. Maybe try putting down your phone. https://t.co/BniyYUqWMY
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 16, 2022
Ocasio–Cortez went on to give Musk some advice, saying he needs to “disconnect.”
“As someone who has been subject to real + dangerous plots, I do get it. I didn’t have security and have experienced many scary incidents,” she said.
Musk responded with two words: “You first.”
You first lol
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 16, 2022
The journalists temporarily banned from Twitter for doxxing Musk include: CNN correspondent Donie O’Sullivan, New York Times technology reporter Ryan Mac, Washington Post reporter Drew Harwell, The Intercept journalist Micah Lee, Mashable writer Matt Binder, former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, and former Vox journalist Aaron Rupar.
Ocasio–Cortez and Musk raised eyebrows with their exchanges in the past. After one exchange, Musk asked the engaged congresswoman to stop “hitting on” him, echoing AOC’s own preoccupation with people’s sexual desire for her.
Stop hitting on me, I’m really shy ☺️
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 29, 2022
