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In the four months since she became the youngest woman ever elected to the US Congress, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, has won over many hearts with her approach to social media.
Within eight months, she's gained more than 2.6 million followers on Twitter alone. And while President Trump has 58.2 million followers, Ocasio-Cortez has a much higher engagement. Her 2.8 per cent overshadows Trump's meagre 0.2 per cent (the same as Hillary Clinton, incidentally), The Guardian reports.
In fact, she's seen a 600 per cent increase in Twitter followers since June 2018.
Why? Because she speaks the language of this generation. And that is very, very rare.
Tweets we love
We're not just talking emojis, either. She taps into all the big topics, from climate change to women's rights and gun control.
Don’t mess with our future.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 13, 2019
When it comes to climate, it’s all our lives at stake. The younger you are, the more consequences you’ll see.
It’s life and death for us.
And we will fight like it. https://t.co/jlyFGkzCUW
She pokes fun at Congress and Fox News, calls out Republicans.
Oh no! They discovered our vast conspiracy to take care of children and save the planet 😂 pic.twitter.com/XYWXmi3Xyk
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 14, 2018
And she uses phrases like "slaying lewks".
a) The alt-right doesn’t seem to understand the concept of magazine shoots
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 15, 2018
b) You don’t get to keep the clothes, duh
c) I don’t “pretend” to fight for a Living Wage & Medicare for All. I do it.
d) Get used to me slaying lewks because I am an excellent thrift shopper pic.twitter.com/Nd2m6WoCxF
The fact that she's from a working-class background and grafted as a waitress also makes people warm to her.
At 22, I was working w/ children + communities.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 13, 2018
At 25, I was waitressing to support my family.
At 28, I won my primary for Congress. I didn’t have health insurance.
Today I turn 29.
You’re never too late, too early, or too imperfect to care for yourself or pursue your dreams.
And while she's clearly all for equal rights for women, and unafraid to stand up to her male counterparts (as clearly seen in the below Tweet), she's also happy to talk about more frivolous topics, such as her skincare routine, which she shared in extensive detail with her 2.4 million followers on Instagram.
Just like catcalling, I don’t owe a response to unsolicited requests from men with bad intentions.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 10, 2018
And also like catcalling, for some reason they feel entitled to one. pic.twitter.com/rsD17Oq9qe
She's also a whizz at working the emojis, knowing exactly when they are appropriate to use.
Sure, ‘mobilizing the economy to save our planet from irreparable global catastrophe’ SOUNDS nice, but will it play well in the Midwest? 🤔 https://t.co/L9N2KkuYBE
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 9, 2019
Trump, take note, because Ocasio-Cortez is relatable, hard-working, hilarious and, more importantly, she's got all the millennials on side. Respect the hustle.
Some folks are saying I won for “demographic” reasons.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 29, 2018
1st of all, that’s false. We won w/voters of all kinds.
2nd, here’s my 1st pair of campaign shoes. I knocked doors until rainwater came through my soles.
Respect the hustle. We won bc we out-worked the competition. Period. pic.twitter.com/RbpQMYTiWY
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Read more:
Yes, congresswomen can care about their skin as well as their politics
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: There's no question Donald Trump is a racist
Attempt to embarrass newly-sworn in Congresswoman with old video backfires
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