Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent progressive figure, recently discovered a satirical Twitter account impersonating her under the name “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Press Release (parody)” (@AOCpress), and she expressed her dissatisfaction with the situation.
The parody account gained significant attention when it engaged in a tweet interaction with Twitter CEO Elon Musk, where it jokingly stated:
“Perhaps it’s the influence talking, but I’ve developed a slight infatuation with @elonmusk.”
https://twitter.com/AOCpress/status/1662994749794529281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1663240698336772107%7Ctwgr%5E28c27d9b088c32dc42f5f9981f932156ceab9177%7Ctwcon%5Es2_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhannity.com%2Fmedia-room%2Fcant-take-a-joke-aoc-flips-out-over-twitter-parody-account%2F
Controversially, Musk responded to the tweet, which many argued increased the account’s visibility and traction.
AOC took to social media to address the issue, informing her followers:
“I want to make everyone aware that there is a fraudulent account posing as me, and it is gaining traction. The Twitter CEO himself has acknowledged it, thereby increasing its visibility.”
FYI there’s a fake account on here impersonating me and going viral. The Twitter CEO has engaged it, boosting visibility.
It is releasing false policy statements and gaining spread.
I am assessing with my team how to move forward. In the meantime, be careful of what you see.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 30, 2023
In response, the parody account commented:
“After consulting with my team, I have decided to propose that Congress pass legislation prohibiting jokes, laughter, or mockery directed towards me. Parody should be deemed illegal.”
https://twitter.com/AOCpress/status/1663610690140098560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1663610690140098560%7Ctwgr%5E28c27d9b088c32dc42f5f9981f932156ceab9177%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhannity.com%2Fmedia-room%2Fcant-take-a-joke-aoc-flips-out-over-twitter-parody-account%2F
The parody account humorously added:
“The account even playfully suggests reporting tweets to the Department of Justice.”
https://twitter.com/AOCpress/status/1663630522621239298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1663630522621239298%7Ctwgr%5E28c27d9b088c32dc42f5f9981f932156ceab9177%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhannity.com%2Fmedia-room%2Fcant-take-a-joke-aoc-flips-out-over-twitter-parody-account%2F
This response is in line with AOC’s dramatic tendency to perceive various comments as posing danger, and it’s only a matter of time until she calls the parody account a “threat to democracy.”
