Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) on Tuesday blasted Politico for an article about her earlier in the day, saying the publication had zero named sources "to back claims containing false information."
Politico published a piece earlier in the morning saying that the democratic socialist's next goal is knocking off the new caucus chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) and that she has already recruited an African-American woman to challenge him in 2020.
The piece referenced in Ocasio-Cortez's tweet reported her "highest priority" is getting rid of Jeffries because she believes that his liberal bona fides are not strong enough and that he is perceived to be against the left wing of the Democratic party, according to Politico.
Ocasio-Cortez accused Politico of publishing "gossip," saying that this piece was the "second @politico article about me in a short period of time with *0* named sources to back claims containing false information."
For the record, this is the second @politico article about me in a short period of time with *0* named sources to back claims containing false information.
Their articles are printed + distributed to **Congressional offices** - w/ no named sources.
It’s really unfortunate.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 18, 2018
In another tweet, she asked journalists when it was "required to cite a source in a piece."
"This is why public gets confused - & 45 exploits that confusion," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. "How about a learning moment - honest question so readers can distinguish: when is a journalist required to cite a source?"
The story about Rep. Pallone + I getting into a 'fight" in caucus was 100% false as well.
This is why public gets confused - & 45 exploits that confusion.
How about a learning moment - honest question so readers can distinguish: when is a journalist required to cite a source? https://t.co/SWHKjteR7m
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 18, 2018
Some reporters, including CBS reporter Grace Segers, responded to Ocasio-Cortez's criticism of Politico by likening it to President Donald Trump's criticism of the press. Trump has often come under scrutiny for accusing media outlets of "fake news," especially if the pieces don't have named sources. Last May, he said, "Whenever you see the words 'sources say' in the fake news media, and they don't mention names...it is very possible that those sources don't exist but are made up by fake news writers."
"This sounds a bit like the defense Donald Trump uses when an article cites multiple unnamed sources. If it contains anonymous sources, it is therefore 'fake news,'" Segers wrote.
This sounds a bit like the defense Donald Trump uses when an article cites multiple unnamed sources. If it contains anonymous sources, it is therefore "fake news." https://t.co/zr2AbMxyK3
— Grace Segers (@Grace_Segers) December 18, 2018
Katelyn Burns, a reporter for Rewire News, agreed with the frustrations of the incoming congresswoman about D.C. reporting, saying that she "rarely if ever includes anonymous sources and if it does, it’s for the safety of the source."
This is also a frustration of mine with DC reporting. You’ll notice my reporting rarely if ever includes anonymous sources and if it does, it’s for the safety of the source. https://t.co/caft792WZX
— Katelyn Burns (@transscribe) December 18, 2018