AOC mocked as she asks Elon Musk to stay quiet as they clash over Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress
WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Elon Musk clashed on social media after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.
The conflict arose after Elon Musk, who attended the Israeli leader's speech at the Capitol, accused the Democratic Party of being "openly and boldly antisemitic."
Boycott of Benjamin Netanyahu's speech
The exchange began when Elon Musk responded to a post from Ocasio-Cortez on his platform X (formerly Twitter).
The New York congresswoman criticized the decision by her and several other Democrats to boycott Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to a joint session of Congress.
“Just so we’re clear, Netanyahu has lost so many people that he is addressing just a fraction of Congress,” wrote Ocasio-Cortez.
“When this happens, they fill the seats with non-members, like what they do at award ceremonies, in order to project the appearance of full attendance and support," she replied.
Just so we’re clear, Netanyahu has lost so many people that he is addressing just a fraction of Congress.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 24, 2024
When this happens, they fill the seats with non-members, like what they do at award ceremonies, in order to project the appearance of full attendance and support. https://t.co/CIboKUrkBq
In response to the post, Musk replied, “The Democratic Party has become openly & boldly antisemitic.”
Hitting back at the tech mogul, Ocasio-Cortez posted a screengrab of an article by Wall Street Journal about when Musk seemingly agreed with an antisemitic post in 2023, and wrote, “Hmm. Sometimes being quiet is free and good for you."
Controversy over Elon Musk's antisemitic conspiracy theory
In November 2023, Elon Musk faced criticism after engaging with a post about an antisemitic conspiracy theory. The post suggested antisemitism was carried out by minorities and that Jewish people were responsible.
This claim adds to false conspiracy theories that accuse Jewish people of wanting to flood Western countries with minorities.
Netanyahu's address highlighted the stark division among lawmakers over US policy toward Israel in its ongoing conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, according to The Hill.
The war, triggered by Hamas' attacks on October 7 against southern Israel, has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian casualties in Gaza, as per local health officials.
Several Democrats boycotted the address, protesting Netanyahu's refusal to end the war and his failure to release all hostages taken by Hamas on October 7.
Internet slams Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez advising Elon Musk to stay quiet over political spats
As Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez clashed with Elon Musk on social media and advised him to remain quiet over political spats, netizens mocked the New York Congresswoman's advice to the tech billionaire.
"Elon is doing far more good for America by speaking up than AOC has ever done," a user wrote on X while another user tweeted, "Cool, when is she taking her own advice."
Elon is doing far more good for America by speaking up than AOC has ever done.
— often uncommon 🏴☠️ (@oftenuncommon) July 25, 2024
"That's a threat," a netizen commented and someone remarked, "She doesn’t even see the irony."
"And it would do us all good if she would be quiet," a user tweeted and another individual commented, "She would benefit a great deal from that advice."
She would benefit a great deal from that advice.
— Christopher Couillard (@ChrisCoolyard) July 25, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
