A Twitter hashtag meant to criticize Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) for her account the Capitol riot has been overtaken by her supporters — and their pets.
The hashtag #AOClied began trending on Twitter Tuesday morning, with critics rejecting and questioning the congresswoman’s account of her traumatic Jan. 6 experience.
Earlier this week, Ocasio-Cortez shared her experience during the Capitol insurrection in an Instagram post titled “What Happened at the Capitol.” During the account, she also revealed that she was a survivor of sexual assault and that during the siege she feared for her life.
As critics picked apart the New York Democrat’s account, suggesting that she had never been in danger, the hashtag began to trend among some Twitter users.
Specifically, Ocasio-Cortez directly addressed GOP first-term Rep. Nancy Mace (S.C.) who stated that her office is “two doors down” from the Democrat’s, adding that “no insurrectionists stormed our hallway.”
The progressive firebrand stated that Mace’s tweet was deeply cynical and “disgusting.”
Others slammed Ocasio-Cortez using the hashtag.
Shortly afterward, Ocasio-Cortez’s supporters began using the hashtag to tamp down the criticism. Pictures of people’s pets began populating the platform with the hashtag.
Some took the opportunity to voice their opinions on the matter.
Others users simply took the opportunity to share photos of their furry friends.
The buzz on social media came before Ocasio-Cortez and other House members took to the lower chamber’s floor to share their stories about the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol which has resulted in several deaths including Capitol Police officers.