A fiery social media feud erupted Wednesday between Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and tech mogul Elon Musk, sparked by Musk’s accusation that the Democratic Party has become “openly and boldly antisemitic.”
The clash ignited following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial address to Congress, which saw Ocasio-Cortez and several Democrats boycott the speech.
Criticizing the sparse attendance, Ocasio-Cortez suggested seats were filled with non-members to mask waning support.
“Just so we’re clear, Netanyahu has lost so many people that he is addressing just a fraction of Congress,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote. “When this happens, they fill the seats with non-members, like what they do at award ceremonies, in order to project the appearance of full attendance and support.”
Musk, who was present at the address, retorted with his incendiary accusation of antisemitism.
“The Democratic Party has become openly & boldly antisemitic,” he wrote.
In a swift rebuttal, Ocasio-Cortez hit back by reminding Musk of his past association with antisemitic rhetoric, citing a Wall Street Journal report.
Last November, Musk faced backlash for engaging with a post promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories, suggesting Jewish people manipulate minority groups to influence Western nations—a notion widely debunked as hateful and false.
Netanyahu’s speech underscored deep divisions among lawmakers over U.S. policy on Israel amid ongoing clashes with Hamas. The conflict, sparked by deadly Hamas attacks on southern Israel, has claimed over 39,000 Palestinian lives, according to local health authorities.
Democratic boycotts of Netanyahu’s speech highlighted frustrations over his handling of the conflict and hostage situations arising from Hamas assaults. Advocacy groups rallied on Capitol Hill, calling for Netanyahu’s arrest amid allegations of war crimes under ICC charges.
Musk and Ocasio-Cortez have sparred on social media previously, notably over safety concerns on Musk’s platform and accusations of boosting fake accounts impersonating public figures.
Ocasio-Cortez has also slammed Musk’s leadership of the platform since his takeover, citing incidents of journalist suspensions and platform mismanagement.
Check more responses below:
Hmm 🤔 sometimes being quiet is free and good for you pic.twitter.com/6SN9InW62v
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 24, 2024
70% of American Jews voted for Biden.
Pro Jewish-person is not the same as pro “everything Netanyahu does”.
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) July 24, 2024
What does Bibi have on you ?
— mandolorian25 (@elpolodiablo75) July 24, 2024
If being opposed to America paying for genocide makes me antisemitic so be it
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) July 25, 2024
Not going to listen to a war criminal is antisemetic now? You have kids and your okay watching him kill all these kids.
Man up. The money isnt worth being their tool
— Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) July 24, 2024
Since you have the meaning of the term confused.
Boycotting a war criminal = NOT antisemitism.
Saying Jews promote anti-white hatred in America = Antisemitism. pic.twitter.com/Ozw675Xjkn
— Kashif Chaudhry (@KashifMD) July 25, 2024
Man Elon…you lost me bro…
— Harry Elliff (@MrHarry198) July 25, 2024
Wow, you're not even being subtle anymore
— Ndwiga Irvine 🇰🇪 (@moraythi) July 25, 2024
