Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez vs. Paul Gosar: Unpacking the Controversial Anime Video and its Political Fallout
The political landscape in Washington D.C. was shaken by a deeply disturbing incident involving two prominent members of Congress. New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal progressive Democrat, found herself the target of a graphic animated video shared by Arizona Representative Paul Gosar, a Republican. The video, which depicted Gosar as an anime character attacking Ocasio-Cortez, quickly sparked outrage and ignited a fierce debate about political rhetoric, online harassment, and accountability within legislative bodies. This event not only highlighted the intense polarization gripping American politics but also raised serious questions about the boundaries of acceptable behavior for elected officials and the role of social media platforms in moderating inflammatory content.
The Disturbing Animated Video: A Closer Look at Gosar’s Provocation
On Sunday, November 7, Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ) ignited a significant controversy by sharing a highly edited and disturbing video on his social media accounts. The video, interspersed with footage from various news events, utilized the opening sequence of the popular Japanese anime series Attack On Titan. In a chilling adaptation, Gosar superimposed his own face, along with those of other Republican politicians, onto characters battling figures meant to represent Democratic leaders, specifically Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and President Joe Biden. The most unsettling sequence featured Gosar’s animated character violently attacking and “killing” a character whose face was poorly superimposed with Ocasio-Cortez’s image. This graphic depiction of violence against a colleague immediately drew widespread condemnation and was perceived by many as a direct threat.
Gosar posted the video with the provocative caption: “Any anime fans out there?” Beyond Ocasio-Cortez and Biden, the controversial clip also featured the likenesses of Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert and Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, with their faces plastered over other anime characters, presumably fighting alongside Gosar. The animation was further blended with real-life footage of soldiers and protests, as well as photographs of former President Donald Trump, Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, and Gosar himself, creating a bizarre and incendiary collage of political figures and violent imagery.
The video’s content quickly caught the attention of social media users and platforms alike. Twitter, where Gosar originally shared the clip, flagged the video, applying a warning label that stated: “This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about hateful conduct. However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible.” While the platform acknowledged the video’s breach of its policies, its decision to allow continued access, albeit with a warning, further fueled public debate about the responsibilities of social media companies in policing content from public figures, especially when it involves implied threats or incitement to violence.
So while I was en route to Glasgow, a creepy member I work with who fundraises for Neo-Nazi groups shared a fantasy video of him killing me
And he’ll face no consequences bc @GOPLeader cheers him on with excuses.
Fun Monday! Well, back to work bc institutions don’t protect woc https://t.co/XRnMAKsnNO
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 9, 2021
AOC’s Immediate and Incisive Response to the Threat
New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), 32, wasted no time in responding to Representative Gosar’s egregious act. On Monday, November 8, she publicly condemned the video, directing her criticism not only at Gosar but also at the Republican Party for what she anticipated would be a lack of accountability. Her response came while she was en route to Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit, underscoring the gravity of the situation that transcended even international diplomatic engagements.
AOC quote-tweeted a response by California Congressman Ted Lieu, who had accurately characterized the video as an example of “sick behavior” and pointed out that such conduct would typically warrant immediate termination in most professional environments. Building on this, Ocasio-Cortez articulated her profound disturbance, emphasizing the source of the attack: “So while I was en route to Glasgow, a creepy member I work with who fundraises for Neo-Nazi groups shared a fantasy video of him killing me,” she wrote. This sharp comment not only highlighted Gosar’s past associations but also underscored the intensely personal nature of the perceived threat. Furthermore, she directly implicated House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, stating, “And he’ll face no consequences bc [GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy] cheers him on with excuses.” This remark brought to the forefront the issue of leadership responsibility and the broader Republican Party’s stance on extreme rhetoric from its members.
A Pattern of Harassment: AOC’s Experiences in Congress
The controversial video was not an isolated incident for Representative Ocasio-Cortez. In her powerful response, she articulated a disheartening pattern of being made to feel unsafe by her Republican colleagues during her tenure in Congress. She referenced previous unsettling encounters, including confrontations with former Florida Congressman Ted Yoho and, notably, repeated instances of harassment from Marjorie Taylor Greene herself. These past experiences, combined with Gosar’s animated threat, painted a grim picture of a workplace where a sitting member of Congress, particularly a woman of color, felt perpetually vulnerable.
“Fun Monday! Well, back to work bc institutions don’t protect [women of color],” she wrote in a subsequent tweet, sarcastically lamenting the situation. This poignant statement highlighted a systemic issue: the perceived failure of established institutions to adequately protect and support female legislators, particularly those from marginalized communities, who often face disproportionate levels of targeting and aggression. Her frustration was palpable as she concluded, “All at my job & nothing ever happens,” underscoring the deep-seated problem of a lack of accountability for those who engage in such harmful behavior within the halls of power. The implication was clear: the normalization of such conduct fosters an environment ripe for escalation, placing individuals like AOC in direct harm’s way.
This dude is a just a collection of wet toothpicks anyway.
White supremacy is for extremely fragile people &sad men like him, whose self concept relies on the myth that he was born superior because deep down he knows he couldn’t open a pickle jar or read a whole book by himself
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 9, 2021
The “Wet Toothpicks” Metaphor and a Critique of White Supremacy
Beyond expressing her outrage and frustration, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered a powerful and cutting philosophical response to Paul Gosar’s actions. Dismissing the disturbing video with a masterful blend of wit and critical analysis, she referred to Gosar as simply “a collection of wet toothpicks.” This evocative metaphor immediately disarmed the intended intimidation, reducing the aggressor to something weak, ineffective, and easily dismissible. However, her critique went much deeper than a simple insult, delving into the psychological underpinnings of white supremacist ideologies.
AOC explained her perspective on why individuals subscribe to such hateful beliefs: “White supremacy is for extremely fragile people &sad men like him, whose self concept relies on the myth that he was born superior because deep down he knows he couldn’t open a pickle jar or read a whole book by himself,” she wrote. This statement offered a profound and unflinching diagnosis of the insecurity and fear that often drive supremacist views. By framing Gosar’s behavior and ideology as a manifestation of profound personal inadequacy rather than strength, she stripped away any pretense of power or conviction. Her words suggested that the aggression and grandstanding displayed by figures like Gosar are not signs of genuine superiority but rather desperate attempts to compensate for a deep-seated lack of self-worth and intellectual capability. This psychological deconstruction served as a potent counter-narrative to the thinly veiled threats presented in the video.
Widespread Condemnation from Fellow Legislators
The controversial video and AOC’s eloquent response did not go unnoticed by other members of Congress, who expressed their own outrage and concern. The incident sparked a broader conversation about congressional ethics, workplace safety, and the increasing polarization of American politics.
Rep. Ted Lieu Calls for Accountability
California Congressman Ted Lieu was among the first to publicly condemn Gosar’s video. In his initial tweet, which Ocasio-Cortez quote-tweeted, Lieu called the animation an example of “sick behavior.” He highlighted the blatant double standard at play within Congress, noting that in nearly any other professional workplace, such a depiction of violence against a colleague would unequivocally be grounds for immediate termination. Lieu’s comparison underscored the unique and often frustrating lack of disciplinary action within the legislative branch, where political considerations frequently overshadow ethical concerns. His stance reflected a widely held belief that elected officials should be held to, if not higher, at least equal standards of conduct as the general workforce.
Rep. Adam Schiff on The View: Dangerous Rhetoric and its Consequences
The discussion surrounding Gosar’s video escalated when California Congressman Adam Schiff addressed the issue during an appearance on The View on Tuesday, November 9. Schiff unequivocally stated that it was unacceptable for Gosar to portray violence against Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Echoing the sentiments of AOC and Lieu, Schiff expressed frustration over the likely absence of repercussions for Gosar’s actions. His strong words did not stop there; he asserted, “He has no business being in congress. He should have never been elected.” This declaration signaled a severe breach of decorum and a fundamental questioning of Gosar’s fitness for public office.
Schiff further criticized the Republican conference as a whole, stating, “Sadly, the Republican conference is now characterized by numerous kooks and dangerous cranks, which he is one.” This broad indictment highlighted a perceived degradation of standards within one of the major political parties. He emphasized the particular danger of Gosar’s actions: “Paul Gosar creates this video, glorifying violence against one of our colleagues, whose already been the subject of death threats, and that’s perfectly okay.” Schiff’s words underscored the heightened risk faced by Ocasio-Cortez, who has been a frequent target of threats, making Gosar’s animated violence not just offensive, but potentially inciting real-world harm.
The Dangerous Intersection of Political Rhetoric and Violence
Congressman Adam Schiff’s commentary extended beyond the immediate outrage over Gosar’s video, connecting it to a broader and more insidious pattern of political rhetoric that he argued has dangerous real-world consequences. Schiff drew a direct line between the glorification of violence in videos like Gosar’s and the January 6th riots at the Capitol, emphasizing a chilling escalation in political discourse.
“They are repeatedly glorifying violence. It’s not as if this is without the backdrop of the violence of January 6,” Schiff stated, highlighting the continuous thread of aggressive rhetoric emanating from certain Republican factions. He meticulously explained how the propagation of “the big lie” regarding election fraud directly contributes to this volatile atmosphere. When politicians repeatedly tell Americans that elections are rigged and cannot be trusted if their preferred candidate loses, they are, in essence, undermining the very foundation of democratic process. “They’re basically saying, ‘If we can’t rely on our elections to decide who governs, what’s left but violence?’ And, that’s just dangerous,” Schiff concluded. This stark warning painted a grim picture of a political environment where words, especially from elected leaders, can directly translate into real-world violence, threatening the integrity of American democracy and the safety of its public servants.
Calls for Action and the Question of Congressional Ethics
The controversy surrounding Representative Gosar’s video brought to the forefront long-standing questions about congressional ethics and the mechanisms for holding members accountable. Despite widespread condemnation from Democrats and some independent observers, the anticipated lack of formal repercussions for Gosar proved to be a significant point of frustration for many. Critics pointed to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s perceived failure to adequately address the behavior, suggesting a normalization of extreme rhetoric within certain segments of the Republican Party.
While calls for censure, removal from committee assignments, or even expulsion from Congress were voiced, the reality of political dynamics often makes such punitive measures difficult to implement. The incident ignited a debate not just about Gosar’s individual conduct, but about the broader standards of behavior expected from those who serve in the nation’s highest legislative body. The ability of a lawmaker to openly share content depicting violence against a colleague, with seemingly minimal consequences, raised concerns about the erosion of institutional norms and the potential for further escalation of inflammatory behavior in the future.
Conclusion: The Future of Civility in Politics
The animated video shared by Representative Paul Gosar, and the subsequent fallout, served as a stark reminder of the volatile state of American politics and the growing challenges to civility and safety within the public sphere. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s swift, powerful, and psychologically astute response not only defended herself but also offered a biting critique of the underlying fragility often masked by aggressive political posturing. The reactions from fellow legislators like Ted Lieu and Adam Schiff underscored the gravity of Gosar’s actions, linking them to a dangerous pattern of rhetoric that threatens the democratic process itself, particularly in the wake of events like the January 6th Capitol riot.
This incident transcends a simple political squabble; it highlights the precarious balance between free speech and incitement, the responsibility of elected officials to uphold ethical standards, and the role of social media in amplifying extremist views. As the political landscape continues to grapple with polarization and the normalization of aggressive tactics, the Gosar video stands as a critical marker, prompting urgent reflection on how to foster a more respectful, accountable, and ultimately safer environment for political discourse and public service. The ongoing struggle against online harassment, political extremism, and the erosion of institutional protections remains a defining challenge for the future of democratic governance.