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Since her upset victory in the 2018 Democratic primary for New York's 14th District, progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, colloquially known as "AOC," has been a favorite target of the right, with many Republicans chastising her for what they say is a lack of intelligence.
In reality, Ocasio-Cortez graduated cum laude from Boston University with degrees in economics and international relations. This was after winning a prize at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in high school, as well as other educational achievements.
She's demonstrated this grasp of science on Twitter before.
Funny enough, one of the compounds I tested yielded unusually promising results for cellular health + C. elegan lifespan extension.
When I tried to find out why the compound wasn't pursued more, one of the explanations given to me was that pharma lobbyists worked against it. https://t.co/nQK6GfyhjC
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 30, 2018
But that didn't seem to matter to President Donald Trump, who took aim at Ocasio-Cortez during a speech in Old Forge, Pennsylvania on Thursday.
Watch below.
Trump: AOC, that's another beauty. She's the designer of the Green New Deal. She knows nothing about the environment. She probably never studied. If I asked her, how many hours have you taken on the environment. pic.twitter.com/p1lPeZKSRb
— Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) August 20, 2020
Trump took aim at AOC's signature legislation—the Green New Deal—a set of policies which would overhaul current U.S. climate policy to stop the advancement of the climate crisis.
Trump said:
"AOC, that's another beauty. She's the designer of the Green New Deal. She knows nothing about the environment. She probably never studied. If I asked her, how many hours have you taken on the environment?"
It should be noted that not only has Trump never released his educational transcripts, but he's actively blocked his alma maters from releasing them. According to a tell-all memoir from his niece, Mary Trump, the President paid someone to take his SATs for him.
Famous for her Twitter clapbacks, AOC didn't hesitate to respond.
Wow, really heartbroken to hear what a guy who thinks “windmill cancer" is a thing thinks about my climate policy.
Anyways check out our Green New Deal plan for Public Housing, we worked w/ scientists, building trade workers & NYCHA residents to write it: https://t.co/E8xOYR0QAS https://t.co/kqFuxw98gz
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 20, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez referenced a bizarre argument Trump made last year, in which he claimed that the sound from environmentally friendly wind turbines—which he calls "windmills"—caused cancer.
Trump claiming that the noise from windmill causes cancer.
This is just beyond parody at this point.pic.twitter.com/RJ4eWYX9hr
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) April 3, 2019
Trump said:
"If you have a windmill anywhere near your house, congratulations your house just went down 75 percent in value. And they say the noise causes cancer. you tell me that one, okay? [imitates wind turbine sounds]"
People commended AOC's response.
She's getting better by the second ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/dVY9gTFrcw
— Mia Pearlman (@mia_pearlman) August 21, 2020
These dudes are getting roasted. @AOC slam dunking on these guys... https://t.co/1GDTgB7e88
— James Hudson (@DruidCityGames) August 20, 2020
Why does he even try? She brings the burn every stinking time. https://t.co/XRcLfEyNM4
— TCT (@teachingtired) August 21, 2020
she just dunked on him and dropped an educational link for the public at the same time. You thought it was over but then you see she left a DOPE public housing map inside that link to help him visualize it cause he can't read!!!!
Triple-double @AOC https://t.co/QLuLi4J6LB
— Randy (@AbreuEsq) August 21, 2020
This woman is a superstar. Love to see it. https://t.co/jsu3Do1g4t
— Jason Marbach (@TheArmoryBand) August 21, 2020
Others leapt to her defense.
The best way to know what an insecure man really thinks about himself is to pay attention to what he says about powerful women. https://t.co/uElIPftpSI
— Liz Plank (@feministabulous) August 20, 2020
For the record, @aoc won a prize in microbiology at the Intel International Science Fair, in her *senior year of high school.* https://t.co/ektBInRb8e
— manu is writing a utopia 🖖 (@trekonomics) August 20, 2020
I KNOW this fool is not trying to comment on how qualified someone else is for their job https://t.co/KaKxejV9Af
— Laci Hadggega (@laci_hadggega) August 21, 2020
Let's ask @AOC @realDonaldTrump . You and her live discuss climate change, the environment, and your policy positions. You would never do it. #Coward #Clueless https://t.co/hEmlXLlEYD
— Dan Gleason (@DAN_GLEASON) August 20, 2020
Ocasio-Cortez recently won her primary with over 70% of the vote.