Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) faced backlash on Friday evening after falsely suggesting that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) was missing when, in fact, he was still carrying out his job as governor and taking his wife, Casey DeSantis, to her cancer treatments.
Ocasio-Cortez’s false remarks came in response to DeSantis’ campaign welcoming her to the state of Florida after news broke that she was hanging out in Miami Beach while the city she represents recorded a record number of new coronavirus cases. AOC’s trip to Miami generated significant media attention because she previously attacked Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) for planning a trip to Mexico while the state of Texas dealt with a storm crisis.
“Welcome to Florida, AOC!” DeSantis’ campaign said. “We hope you’re enjoying a taste of freedom here in the Sunshine State thanks to @RonDeSantisFL’s leadership.”
Ocasio-Cortez responded by suggesting without evidence that DeSantis had “been inexplicably missing for like 2 weeks,” before saying that she wanted to “help with local organizing” in Florida.
“Ron DeSantis is taking his wife to cancer treatments over Christmas break,” commentator Joe Colangelo responded. “Meanwhile, his New York critics visiting Florida in order to enjoy themselves accuse him of going missing. Really beyond the pale.”
Ron DeSantis is taking his wife to cancer treatments over Christmas break.
Meanwhile, his New York critics visiting Florida in order to enjoy themselves accuse him of going missing.
Really beyond the pale. https://t.co/4xqv5wyVy5
— Joe Colangelo (@Itsjoeco) December 31, 2021
“So Ron DeSantis was taking his wife to cancer treatment while the libs, including AOC, accused him of being missing and abandoning his state,” a writer for Red State responded. “The people are evil.”
“AOC is a dirtbag,” another popular Twitter account tweeted. “She hit Governor DeSantis for being ‘missing.’ As it turns out, the governor was busy helping his wife through her cancer treatments. AOC should immediately apologize to the DeSantis family.”
AOC is a dirtbag. She hit Governor DeSantis for being “missing.” As it turns out, the governor was busy helping his wife through her cancer treatments.
AOC should immediately apologize to the DeSantis family.
— Election Wizard (@ElectionWiz) December 31, 2021
“Gov. Ron DeSantis has a wife fighting aggressive breast cancer and 3 small children that he is caring for,” commentator Benny Johnson wrote on Twitter. “His youngest is 1 year-old. You sip a martini in a red state he runs as your blue district collapses under your garbage policies. Sit down, Queen Marxist Antoinette.”
“Embarrassing, even for you,” DeSantis press secretary Christina Pushaw responded.
“Mocking a governor while vacationing in his state — and ‘ore importantly —- also while he’s attending to his wife currently receiving cancer treatments is really some look,” columnist Joe Concha tweeted. “What is wrong with people? And this is an elected official.”
Mocking a governor while vacationing in his state — and ‘ore importantly —- also while he’s attending to his wife currently receiving cancer treatments is really some look. What is wrong with people? And this is an elected official, no less. https://t.co/cMR2rPmjpn
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) December 31, 2021
Pushaw tweeted out screenshots showing DeSantis’ public schedule for the last two weeks.
Monday, 12/27 @GovRonDeSantis spoke with his Chief of Staff. pic.twitter.com/dVUvz1AaVl
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 (@ChristinaPushaw) December 30, 2021
And today, despite the fact that it is a holiday for state employees, @GovRonDeSantis was in his office working and meeting with staff. pic.twitter.com/rSLhDjEBM3
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 (@ChristinaPushaw) December 30, 2021