Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Thursday dismissed an offer from conservative commentator Ben Shapiro challenging her to a debate, saying she doesn’t “owe a response to unsolicited requests from men with bad intentions.”
“Just like catcalling, I don’t owe a response to unsolicited requests from men with bad intentions,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Thursday night. “And also like catcalling, for some reason they feel entitled to one.”
Shapiro fired back at Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter while defending his offer:
Shapiro said during a segment on “The Ben Shapiro Show” on Wednesday that he would donate $10,000 to Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign if she agreed to debate him.
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“You’ve noted that you think Republicans are afraid to debate you or talk to you or discuss the issues with you. Not only am I eager to discuss the issues with you, I’m willing to offer $10,000 to your campaign today for you to come on our Sunday special,” Shapiro said on his show.
Ocasio-Cortez’s upset win over longtime Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) in the primary for New York’s 14th Congressional District in June sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party.
A self-described democratic socialist, Ocasio-Cortez is running on a platform that includes “Medicare for all” and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.