GOP governor hopeful refers to Ocasio-Cortez as ‘this girl … or whatever she is’

Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) on Saturday referred to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the political newcomer who vanquished a top-ranking House Democrat in a New York primary earlier this year, as “this girl Ocasio-Cortez or whatever she is.”

DeSantis, vocal ally of President Trump who is running for governor of Florida, made the remarks while speaking at a campaign event in Orange Park, according to HuffPost.

{mosads}“You look at this girl Ocasio-Cortez or whatever she is, I mean, she’s in a totally different universe,” DeSantis said. “It’s basically socialism wrapped in ignorance.”

DeSantis, who also chairs the National Security Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, took further aim at Ocasio-Cortez during his speech for previously criticizing the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians in a recent interview with PBS News.

During the interview, the 28-year-old democratic socialist referred to Israel’s “occupation” of Palestine as causing a humanitarian crisis. However, she later clarified that she meant that Israeli settlements are growing in areas where Palestinians are concentrated and also added that she was “not the expert” on the issue. 

“There’s never been a Palestinian state. You’re just repeating these canned, left-wing talking points, and you’re somehow the savior of the Democratic Party? Good Lord,” DeSantis said in reference to the interview. “She has no clue what she’s talking about.” 

DeSantis is running to succeed Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), who is term limited and running for the Senate.

DeSantis also earned praised from Trump last year, who said he would make a “great” governor.