In a battle of superstars from social networks, rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for what he said was his role in promoting the Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill.
“He’s part of this problem,” the Democrat told an online City Hall meeting Friday with voters in the Bronx and Queens. “Both Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook have a partial responsibility for Wednesday’s events, period.”
The social media mogul, she said, defeated white supremacist groups on Facebook – and even, she accused, participated in “parties with white supremacist sympathizers.”
“They treated this kind of radicalization differently, also with children’s gloves,” AOC said, pointing to her controversial exchange with Zuckerberg at a 2019 congressional hearing.
“I specifically asked him about election misinformation … and the connection between this misinformation and white supremacist ties,” she said. “I’ve seen what’s been going on for a long time.”
Ocasio-Cortez has been arguing for months that Facebook’s use of a conservative news outlet, Daily Caller, in its fact-finding efforts is proof of Zuckerberg’s sympathy for white supremacists.
“There is a very clear link here,” she insisted on Friday.
The Daily Caller rejected Ocasio-Cortez’s accusations, calling them “offensive.”
“Right now, I’m doing as much damage control as possible,” the AOC said on Friday, pointing to Facebook’s decision to remove President Trump’s access to the platform following last week’s violence.
“But they knew,” she said. “And not only did they know, but they allowed.”