House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) delivered a brutal takedown of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), slamming her and the Democrat Party for turning the government shutdown into a media circus while Republicans focus on real leadership.
“Instead of doing publicity stunts like AOC loves to do — instead of chasing likes on social media — Republicans are actually working,” Johnson told CNN’s The Lead on Thursday. “They’re in their districts helping seniors, veterans, and working families navigate the crisis that Democrats created.”
Johnson blasted Ocasio-Cortez for voting against a GOP-backed funding bill that would have kept vital government services running. “She voted to stop services for the elderly, the disabled, and our veterans,” he said. “That’s her record. And now she’s trying to spin it and blame Republicans.”
AOC Melts Down on Live TV
The far-left congresswoman fired back during a CNN town hall Wednesday, accusing Republicans of refusing to “pick up the phone to negotiate.” Ocasio-Cortez claimed Speaker Johnson “hates working” and even called him a failure for not meeting daily with Democrat leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer.
Her comments backfired instantly, with conservatives accusing her of grandstanding while American families struggle under a shutdown fueled by Democrat obstruction.
GOP Unites Behind Trump’s America-First Agenda
Republican lawmakers say Ocasio-Cortez and her socialist allies are using the shutdown to score political points and boost their online following — all while hurting everyday Americans.
“They’re not negotiating in good faith,” Johnson said. “They’re doing this because they’re afraid of losing power to President Trump and the America-First movement.”
Insiders say Schumer is stalling votes to appease the radical left and avoid angering Ocasio-Cortez, who’s rumored to be eyeing a primary challenge to his Senate seat.
Since the shutdown began Oct. 1, the Senate has failed nine separate times to pass a simple continuing resolution to fund the government. In response, Johnson canceled all House votes this week, vowing not to return until Democrats stop playing politics and do their job.
Trump’s Allies Hit Back
While Ocasio-Cortez accuses Republicans of “hating to work,” President Donald Trump praised Johnson and GOP lawmakers for “standing firm against the chaos Democrats created.”
“Mike Johnson is doing what real leaders do,” Trump said in a statement. “He’s fighting for America’s seniors, our veterans, and hardworking families — not for TV cameras.”
Ocasio-Cortez dismissed reports of her growing influence as “ridiculous” and “desperate,” but GOP leaders say it’s obvious the far left is pulling the strings inside the Democrat Party.
“The Democrats aren’t negotiating with America,” one senior Republican said. “They’re negotiating with AOC.”