Overview:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) criticized former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, claiming their recent actions mocked working-class Americans. Ocasio-Cortez pointed to Trump serving food at a McDonald’s and Musk giving away $1 million daily as examples of how they are out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people.
Why It Matters:
This situation reflects concerns over how public figures with significant wealth may exploit working-class sentiments for political and financial gain.
Who It Impacts:
Working-class Americans, who may feel belittled or manipulated by the actions of powerful figures, are most affected by this issue.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) recently took aim at both former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, accusing the two of mocking working-class Americans through recent high-profile acts. Trump, who made headlines for serving food to supporters at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, was the subject of Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks as she suggested he was using the fast-food chain as a way to belittle ordinary workers rather than connect with them. According to Ocasio-Cortez, Trump’s gesture was not a show of solidarity, but rather a tone-deaf attempt to cater to voters while making a mockery of those who work in such establishments.
From a different perspective, some see Trump and Musk’s actions not as mockery, but as outreach—an effort to engage with voters in relatable, albeit unconventional, ways. Trump, known for using populist tactics, may see fast-food appearances as a way to connect with ordinary Americans on a personal level. Musk, by giving away money to support constitutional freedoms, might argue that his campaign contributions aim to empower citizens rather than mock them. But Ocasio-Cortez’s concerns are rooted in the belief that these methods fall short of addressing the real struggles of the working class.
The timing of Trump’s visit to McDonald’s coincided with Vice President Kamala Harris’ disputed claims that she worked at the fast-food chain during her youth. Ocasio-Cortez implied that Trump’s actions were a political stunt aimed at highlighting the alleged inconsistencies in Harris’ story, but ultimately, she argued, it demonstrated a lack of empathy for the people he claims to support. “Donald Trump thinks that people who work at McDonald’s are a joke,” Ocasio-Cortez said, adding that he was out of touch with the real struggles of everyday Americans.
The congresswoman didn’t stop at Trump, turning her attention to Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter), who has been actively campaigning to increase voter turnout in support of Trump. Musk’s initiative, which involves giving away $1 million every day to a random person who signs a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments, was labeled by Ocasio-Cortez as an exploitative tactic. She argued that Musk was dangling large sums of money to lure in struggling individuals, reducing them to contestants in a political lottery rather than addressing their real needs.
Speaking at a campaign event for the Harris-Walz ticket, Ocasio-Cortez criticized Musk’s sudden involvement in Pennsylvania politics. “He’s not only just dumping millions and millions of dollars here in the state of Pennsylvania, acting like he’s from here,” she said, accusing Musk of parachuting into a state he knows little about and using his wealth to manipulate voters. In her view, both Trump and Musk were using their platforms to stage spectacles that detract from the serious nature of the upcoming election.
AOC accuses Elon Musk of “making fun of” working class people by selecting voters to earn $1 Million for signing the petition in support of Free Speech & Right to Bear Arms.
They’re literally supporting the Constitution which you supposedly took an oath to support and defend. pic.twitter.com/iCeFlmCWDH
— America (@america) October 21, 2024
