Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., used her up-and-running Twitter account to counter a Fox News tweet about where the proceeds of her merchandise purchases go.
Fox News challenged AOC in a tweet that questions where her merchandise profits actually go.
“FACT-CHECKED: @AOC tells @elonmusk she donates her merchandise profits to charity but expenses show otherwise,” the outlet wrote.
AOC retweeted the post, writing “Incorrect, @FoxNews. I stated we use our proceeds for our in-house tutoring programs like Homework Helpers.”
AOC did write this in a previous tweet, which stemmed from a tussle she had with new Twitter owner Elon Musk last week.
“We’ve used proceeds to hire organizers for food relief and tutoring within our campaign,” her latest tweet continues. “Maybe don’t fact-check incorrect quotes and you’ll get it right next time.”
The kerfuffle follows a conflict between the politician and Tesla CEO, who tweeted a photo of her Team AOC periwinkle supporter crew sweatshirt, circling the $58 price tag on the website, after AOC was critical of his idea to charge for blue-check verifications.
“So then, he decides to like tweet a screenshot of our campaign store because our sweatshirts are like $50 to $58 as some kind of like ‘Gotcha’ that like other people pay money for goods, emphasis on ‘real goods’ in the world,” Ocasio-Cortez explained in a since expired Instagram story video. “But here’s the thing is that unlike Elon Musk, all the workers with our campaign, our campaign is unionized. We pay full health care. We have other benefits like childcare stipends.”
Her response to Musk’s sweatshirt tweet seemed to highlight the perceived differences between their business methods, particularly how they look after their employees.
“Proud of this and always will be. My workers are union, make a living wage, have full healthcare, and aren’t subject to racist treatment in their workplaces,” she wrote. “Items are made in USA. Team AOC honors and respects working people. You should try it sometime instead of union-busting.”
In the same thread, AOC mentioned Homework Helpers.
“Not to mention all proceeds go to community organizing like our Homework Helpers program which gives private tutoring to kids who’ve needed learning support since COVID,” she wrote. “Check out our shop! Support our workers and our communities:”
Fox News points out, though, that on AOC’s merchandise website FAQ page, “Purchases are campaign contributions.”