Sen. Ted Cruz wished his fellow member of Congress, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a “Happy Birthday” on Wednesday, just weeks after the dueling duo issued their latest attacks on one another.
“Happy Birthday to @AOC,” the Texas Republican wrote on Twitter with several birthday-themed emojis. “Although we disagree on many issues, we are both blessed to live in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”
On Oct. 13, Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) turned 32 years old. Cruz is 18 years her senior and will be turning 51 in December.
The New York Democrat did not directly reply to or like Cruz’s tweet, though she did like and respond to several other birthday wishes from other fellow members of the House.
“Thank you all for the birthday wishes!” she tweeted Wednesday evening. “Any advice for one’s 30s? It’s been a pandemic almost the whole time so far, so belated advice appreciated.”
Cruz’s seeming well wishes come just two weeks after the senator slammed Ocasio-Cortez for failing to keep President Biden accountable over the border crisis — as she made a point to during the Trump administration — and challenged her to visit the “Biden cages.”
During a speech on the Senate floor regarding the massive influx of illegal immigrants at the southern border, Cruz mocked the previous visit by Ocasio-Cortez to a migrant facility in West Texas in 2018, when she was pictured standing near fencing holding her hands to her face.
Ted Cruz’s tweet to AOC.Twitter
“Mr. President, every Democrat who stood up and lamented kids in cages, in the House of Representatives, Representative Ocasio-Cortez, has a famous photo of her grasping her head by the kids in cages,” the Texas senator said, imitating the photo. “Well, I’m going to give a simple challenge for Representative Ocasio-Cortez and for every Democrat in this body: Go see the Biden cages with your own eyes.”
Just days before, Cruz lambasted Ocasio-Cortez for attending the Met Gala, where she wore a widely mocked dress that had the words “Tax the rich” printed on the back.
“Cost per Ticket: $30,000. Virtue signaling to your base while partying—without a mask—with the people you claim to hate: Priceless,” Cruz tweeted.
The progressive congresswoman defended herself shortly after the event, noting that New York elected officials are often invited to attend the Met Gala, and that she was one of several there.
“And before haters get wild flying off the handle, New York elected officials are routinely invited to and attend the Met due to our responsibilities in overseeing and supporting the city’s cultural institutions for the public. I was one of several in attendance in this evening,” she said.
Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez did not directly reply to or like Cruz’s tweet.NurPhoto/Shutterstock
The two lawmakers have long disagreed throughout their time in Congress together and made headlines in early 2020 when the duo fought on Twitter over who knew more about science, after Ocasio-Cortez slammed the decision to put then-Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the coronavirus task force.
“Mike Pence literally does not believe in science. It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response as the world sits on the cusp of a pandemic. This decision could cost people their lives. Pence’s past decisions already have,” she tweeted at the time.
“As you are speaking as the oracle of science, tell us, what exactly is a Y chromosome?” the Texas Republican shot back in the first of three sarcastic tweets targeting the New Yorker.
“And at what age of gestation does science tell us that an unborn child feels physical pain?” he added.
The next day, Ocasio-Cortez ramped up the feud, listing her academic accomplishments.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the 2021 Met Gala.Getty Images
“Sen. Cruz, while I understand you judge people’s intelligence by the lowest income they’ve had, I hold awards from MIT Lincoln Lab &others for accomplishments in microbiology,” she wrote.
“Secondly, I’m surprised you’re asking about chromosomes given that you don’t even believe in evolution. Sincerely, an Intel global finalist, a fmr multi-year intern for Sen. Kennedy, a cum laude dual major in Economics & International Relations, a fmr Educational Director for national organization, Who to you is ‘just a bartender,’ And also your colleague,” she concluded, adding a link to a 2018 story in Quartz about her winning a science fair in high school.
Earlier this year, their feud went a step further after Ocasio-Cortez accused Cruz of almost having her “murdered” during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
The New York Democrat refused to apologize and told The Post she stuck by her statement.
“That’s not the quote and I will not apologize for what I said,” she said.
The contention came after Cruz attempted to extend an olive branch to Ocasio-Cortez, saying he shared her concern about the Robinhood stock-trading platform restricting a grassroots campaign to buy GameStop stock.
“I am happy to work with Republicans on this issue where there’s common ground, but you almost had me murdered 3 weeks ago so you can sit this one out. Happy to work w/ almost any other GOP that aren’t trying to get me killed. In the meantime if you want to help, you can resign,” the congresswoman replied to Cruz.
