House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has dismissed Alexandria Ocasio Cortez’s sphere of influence, calling the socialist wing of the House of Representatives, “like, five people.”
This isn’t the first time she’s been dismissive – and critical – of the young New York congresswoman. Pelosi recently rejected AOC’s proposals, both the Green New Deal plan proposed to tackle climate change and the expansion of Medicare for all Americans.
In a new interview with 60 Minutes, Pelosi was asked to describe “AOC and her group.”
Pelosi told interviewer Lesley Stahl that those who prescribe to AOC’s left-wing, progressive ideals were “like, five people.”
Stahl suggested the “progressive group is more than five” but Pelosi was adamant.
Well, the progressive ... I’m a progressive.
She added: “By and large, whatever orientation they came to Congress with, they know that we have to hold the centre."
That we have to … go down the mainstream.
The house speaker’s comments were scrutinised online.
Some people are criticising Pelosi for her words
That's quite a way to welcome a new generation of mostly progressive women of color entering the Democratic Party w… https://t.co/iA70mn6X5q— Waleed Shahid (@Waleed Shahid) 1555284364
@_waleedshahid @AOC I never knew so much bullshit could be packed in under a minute. You are an enemy of the people @SpeakerPelosi.— Rodolfo (@Rodolfo) 1555285347
And they're arguing that progressives are popular in Congress - as well as challenging her meaning of 'center'
@_waleedshahid @AOC Progressives are the center now. Our policies are popular, and we're on the verge of a genuine… https://t.co/Wd2O13bDQa— Shawn Olson 🔥 (@Shawn Olson 🔥) 1555286596
@_waleedshahid @AOC I don’t think she understands the center anymore. https://t.co/rcvOtcQWHk— Mike Archer 🌻 ⏳ (@Mike Archer 🌻 ⏳) 1555294350
Others challenged the Democrat for categorising herself as 'progressive'
@_waleedshahid @AOC Did I just hear that right? Nancy Pelosi say's she's a progressive?... Even Satan's like, "shiv… https://t.co/e7aurvRyJP— Azeez Adegoke Rasaki 🌹 (@Azeez Adegoke Rasaki 🌹) 1555329023
Journalist Mehdi Hassan echoes those statements
Two of the most annoying things in this clip: 1) Leslie Stahl calls Democrats on the left "socialists" but calls D… https://t.co/CdwjJ2xZOi— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1555284759
Others are pointing out that socialist progressives in the House are actually 'powerful'
President Trump criticised Pelosi's 60 Minutes appearance and Trump Jr accused Pelosi of being 'scared' of AOC, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib
We've reached a sad point where @SpeakerPelosi is so terrified of offending her new bosses, Omar/AOC/Tlaib, that th… https://t.co/BZu47XTyBU— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1555278784
Which didn't go down well online
@CaitlinPacific @davidfrum Um, didn’t Nancy Pelosi, Omar, AOC etc make the cover of Rolling Stone as women shaping… https://t.co/q4ZuLxkRFg— Victoria Dougherty (@Victoria Dougherty) 1555329553
@DonaldJTrumpJr @SpeakerPelosi This is complete b.s.— Charlotte (@Charlotte) 1555296750
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