Nikki Sixx Calls Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a “Whack Job”
In a tweet that the Motley Crue guitarist has since thought better of and deleted, Nikki Sixx earlier this morning called New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (colloquially known as AOC) a “whack job.” Here’s a screen shot that I emailed to myself early this morning before the tweet was pulled:
Sixx’s tweet was likely inspired by AOC’s recent comments that she’d like to see the Department of Homeland Security dissolved. On the surface that might seem like a terrible idea — think of all the terrorists who would suddenly get in to our precious country!! — until you read further and discover that that DHS has only been around since 2002, and before that time other branches of the government handled its functions. AOC squarely blamed the Bush administration for many of the inhumane policies currently carried out by DHS, such as stuffing migrants into overfilled, understaffed detention centers at the border and holding them for extended periods of time in conditions that would make anyone’s stomach turn. Besides which: gun deaths caused by ordinary Americans are a way bigger problem in this country than those at the hands of terrorists.
Sixx’s opinion isn’t all that surprising. As an old, out-of-touch white man with lots of money who likely stands to lose some of it if AOC’s progressive policies were to ever go through, it’s no shock at all that Sixx sees her as a threat. And while it’s certainly possible that ingrained sexism plays a role in Sixx’s opinion, nothing about this tweet is overtly misogynistic — i.e. he’s not commenting on her appearance, calling her “emotional,” etc. — so I’m going to leave that out of the conversation for now.
There is also this: the day after Trump was elected president, Sixx tweeted “I love America. I hope we can grow from this,” which is as middling as one could get at such a dark moment… but only months later he said he “can’t wait” until Trump is no longer president. So, like, who the fuck knows with this guy.
The responses to Sixx’s tweet, unlike his own, are still out in the Twitterverse for all to see. And hooooooo boy, are those loaded with all sorts of appalling, racist, misogynistic, juvenile and generally shitty comments! Most people who replied seemed to agree with Nikki, and here are just a few examples of what folks felt comfortable putting out on the public internet:
https://twitter.com/Pi_neal/status/1149309316916273152
Forget that she's a politician for a minute…if you met Cortez at a party & she showed her usual personality most would run as fast as possible 'cause she is a whack job. Not crazy/hot/fun but just plain nuts like talking to herself & wearing garbage bags nuts.
— The Best Amendment (@BestAmendment) July 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/mike13lewis/status/1149313225911152640
https://twitter.com/iamgod911/status/1149314849979142144
A complete nut job and its scary that she's convincing to those that are so brainwashed.
— AdventureswithLaureOlivia (@LauresMommy) July 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/gtten/status/1149314279864188928
She is so out of touch with reality. She is also a narcissist.
— The Midnight Rider (@survivors_no) July 11, 2019
I seriously don't know how she got elected? pic.twitter.com/Yo4khBhYVr
— Kristin Nielsen ???? (@K10Nielsen) July 11, 2019
Oh Nikki I know ur happily married with a baby on the way but I fall more in love with you every day when you speak the truth! I find it incredibly sexy when a guy speaks the truth
— Stephanie C. (@Stephanie_4994) July 11, 2019
Thankfully a few folks chimed in with reason in AOC’s defense:
https://twitter.com/wayne_m_rose/status/1149312607121281025
@AOC is awesome. Love her.
— Keith Sa ???????? (@floatypunk) July 11, 2019
Apparently not. But pretend she is an older, white, male and listen to what she has to say. See, now it is cogent, insightful, and empathetic. That you cannot see that without this mental exercise says a lot about you.
— Tin Maddog (@TinmadLegal) July 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/videojamm/status/1149309035155513346
https://twitter.com/VileOf/status/1149306943217053697
https://twitter.com/thegoatmetal/status/1149304214570618881
In case you need a further reminder of how fucked the American political landscape is, feel free to browse this page of additional responses to Nikki’s tweet (you may have to scroll down a bit). Be forewarned.
