Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was on the receiving end of conservative criticism (yet again) this week following a backlash over the price of her new "tax the rich" campaign sweatshirts.
The Democratic congresswoman (and all around badass) was called out by a group on Twitter - including Fox News host Sean Hannity, Fox News contributor Sara Carter, and Fox News contributor Lisa Boothe (spotting a pattern here?) for selling the sweatshirts for $58.
Republicans are freaking out bc we don’t use slave-wage labor for merch that funds grassroots organizing.But what’s the difference between Trump’s merch and ours?Ours is made in the US. 🇺🇸(& for GOP who joke that we shld give 👕 for free, we actually do - just volunteer 😉) https://t.co/35DnbFYQyCDecember 3, 2020
“Still laughing about AOC selling ridiculously expensive swag that says ‘Tax the rich,’” Boothe tweeted. Similarly, her colleague Carter wrote: “@AOC selling $65 'Tax The Rich' sweatshirt. No, this isn't @TheBabylonBee," referring to the conservative and Christian news satire site.
Plenty of others joined in and it became a whole narrative. However, no one seemed to think of why the price may be what it is. “Interesting how @AOC is benefiting from capitalism by selling merch that attacks capitalism…” one person tweeted. Another wrote: “AOC charging $58 a pop for a sweatshirt that says ‘Tax the Rich’ LITERALLY CONTRADICTS ITSELF."
Luckily, in true AOC form, the congresswoman clapped back with the best response setting the record straight. Tweeting on Thursday, she wrote: "Republicans are freaking out bc we don’t use slave-wage labor for merch that funds grassroots organizing."
She added: "But what’s the difference between Trump’s merch and ours? Ours is made in the US. (& for GOP who joke that we shld give for free, we actually do - just volunteer."
The rest of the campaign merch collection includes a T-shirt reading “Drink water & don’t be racist”, as well as one emblazoned with the slogan quote: “Change takes courage", all of which are available to shop now.
