Ted Cruz calls AOC a ‘parasite’ in fiery clash over billionaires and government spending

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen. Ted Cruz ignited another fiery political showdown with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after labeling the progressive Democrat a ‘parasite’ during a heated argument over taxes, wealth redistribution, and the size of government.

The Texas Republican made the remark while criticizing what he described as the modern Democratic Party’s growing dependence on government expansion and taxpayer-funded programs.

Ted Cruz unloads on AOC during fight over government spending

The senator joined Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Monday evening to discuss “what is on the line” for President Donald Trump and the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections.

“The stakes are, do we hand over the Congress and the country to a bunch of radical extremists? You mentioned people like Elizabeth Warren and AOC.”

“Let’s take AOC this week, AOC had this bizarre take on the history of America, and she said our revolution was a revolution against the billionaires.”

Cruz argued that progressive lawmakers increasingly promote policies that punish private sector success while expanding government dependence.

“Basically, she retold it as a Marxist Revolution, and I don’t know whether that is more ignorance or ideology, but it is both together. If you look at the American Revolution, who were we fighting against?”

“We declared our independence from totalitarian government, from King George [III], from government that taxed you and controlled you just like AOC and Elizabeth Warren and Ilhan Omar want to do.”

Cruz has long portrayed democratic socialism as economically destructive and frequently uses Ocasio-Cortez as a symbol of what conservatives view as the Democratic Party’s sharp move to the left.

Ted Cruz calls AOC a ‘parasite sucking on the taxpayer’

He went on to slam Ocasio-Cortez as “a parasite sucking on the taxpayer” and shut down her claims regarding the American Revolution, crediting the “American free enterprise capitalists” for it instead.

“And by the way, who was the American Revolution funded by? It was funded by people like Robert Morris, who was the wealthiest person in the colonies."

“It was American free enterprise capitalists who invested in seeking freedom, and by the way, AOC also said it is impossible for anybody to earn a billion dollars.”

The Republican senator claimed progressive lawmakers push policies that expand government dependency while discouraging entrepreneurship and private-sector growth.

“Which look, I recognize for her given that she was a bartender, that is probably true, and there is no disrespect to bartenders. Bartenders are an honorable profession.”

“But she went from that to being a government employee and a parasite sucking on the taxpayer.”

Cruz proceeded to rip the left’s “profound ignorance” and “business of lying to young people,” asserting that people like himself and Hannity are the real “social justice warriors.”

“We want to see people do better, we want to see poverty overcome,” he said.

The clash comes as Ocasio-Cortez continues raising her national profile through rallies, media appearances and growing speculation about her future political ambitions.

Earlier this week, the congresswoman sparked fresh debate after declaring her “ambition is way bigger” than simply holding political office, comments many interpreted as further fueling 2028 speculation.