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The media have no proof to back their claims
After a video surfaced this week showing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) dancing as a college student, conservatives from every corner of America became suddenly incensed.
Well, actually, that's not what happened — at all. But if you read a single story in the mainstream media detailing the story, then that would have been your conclusion. Indeed, countless mainstream outlets accused conservatives of paying a lick of attention to the video, either through outrage or mockery.
One story from Newsweek has found itself on the receiving end of a firehose of actual criticism. The story accuses conservatives of "mock[ing]" Ocasio-Cortez for the college-dancing video.
"Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been a target for conservatives ever since the democratic socialist stunned American politics..." the story declares. "Now her dancing has joined that growing list."
Conservatives mock Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for college dancing video, everyone else thinks it's adorable https://t.co/4RY4cQcrCt pic.twitter.com/AEpCMtSfKd
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) January 3, 2019
Here's the funny thing about Newsweek's story: The reporter never cited outrage of any kind, let alone from conservatives.
Unfortunately, it was the theme among the mainstream media, outlets making the same claim with the same amount of evidence: zero.
Indeed, the video did not outrage conservatives, nor did it launch them into a parade of mockery. And yes, the video almost certainly added to Ocasio-Cortez's arsenal of likability among common voters not glued to social media 24/7.
As a viral tweet from Ben Shapiro correctly notes, the mainstream media are driving the coverage around Ocasio-Cortez, then accusing conservatives of being obsessed with her.
In reality, however, conservatives aren't obsessed with Ocasio-Cortez; they're obsessed with countering her dangerous socialist agenda, like any true conservative would be.
Media: AOC IS THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE! SHE'S SOOOO IMPORTANT!
Conservatives: Okay. That's scary. Her policy is insane.
Media: LOOK, SHE'S DANCING! YOU HATE THAT!
Conservatives: Nah, her policy is just insane.
Media: WHY ARE YOU SO OBSESSED WITH HER?
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 4, 2019