Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., is now reportedly calling out a fellow Republican over remarks aimed at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s past work as a bartender, arguing that mocking someone’s working-class background misses the mark.
In a post Saturday on the social platform X, Luna made clear that while she frequently disagrees with the New York Democrat’s policies, attacking her for having worked behind a bar is not the right approach.
“I don’t agree with AOC on much,” Luna wrote, “but to knock her or anyone for being a bartender is not a ‘hit,’ it’s tone deaf.”
Luna emphasized that many Americans do not come from political families or elite backgrounds but still have every right to seek public office. “Plenty of people don’t come from political pedigree,” she added. “There are plenty of people who go through school etc and are hardworking Americans and they have the right to run for office.”
The Florida Republican, who served five years in the Oregon Air National Guard, underscored her belief that real-world experience should not be ridiculed. She also injected a bit of humor into the debate, noting, “Shoot, half of DC spends its time in bars and love the bartenders.”
The controversy stems from comments made earlier this week by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., during an appearance on Fox News’s Hannity Special. Kennedy quipped that Ocasio-Cortez is “kind of like Vice President Kamala Harris, but with more bartending experience.” He also said the progressive lawmaker “has never been accused of being a policy maven.”
Ocasio-Cortez worked as a bartender in the Bronx after graduating from Boston University, a background she has frequently cited as shaping her views on economic and labor issues.
Kennedy’s remarks followed Ocasio-Cortez’s appearance at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, where her comments were sharply criticized by some conservatives, including President Trump.
Luna, however, suggested that fellow Republicans should be directing their focus elsewhere. She said Kennedy ought to be concentrating “on calling out” Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who chairs the Senate Rules Committee and has not scheduled a vote on a GOP-backed voting reform bill. That legislation cleared the House nearly two weeks ago but has yet to receive action in the Senate.
Ocasio-Cortez did not let Kennedy’s comments go unanswered. Writing on X Saturday night, she defended her working-class background and turned the criticism back on the Louisiana senator.
“My having been a waitress makes me 1000x more qualified to govern on behalf of working people than whatever lifelong politician nonsense you’ve swung from your whole career,” she wrote.
She also questioned Kennedy’s appeal to everyday Americans, asking, “Why should working people vote for you if this is what you think of them?”
Kennedy, who holds an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and a law degree from the University of Virginia, has served in elected office for more than three decades.
The exchange highlights an unusual moment of intra-party disagreement, as Luna made clear that while policy battles are fair game, personal digs at working Americans may not resonate the way some expect.
