Matt Gaetz Says AOC Started Treating Republicans 'Like We All Had Horns' After January 6

Former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz took aim at Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying that before the January 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol she was "incredibly chummy with Republicans," but changed after the episode.

Speaking to commentator Tucker Carlson, Gaetz said AOC is a "very different person today than when she got to Congress. Carlson quipped that she has been "coopted," to which Gaetz agreed.

"Before Jan. 6 she was incredibly chummy with Republicans in Congress, she would regularly come over to our side, sit down, hang out," Gaetz said. After that, "she treated us all like we had horns or something," he added.

Carlson dismissed her reaction to the assault, including her claim that she was traumatized by it and almost killed. Gaetz agreed, saying it is "reflective of the performance art of Congress."

AOC has repeatedly dismissed attacks from Republicans, focusing on Democrats' performance on the 2026 midterms and criticizing President Donald Trump's administratoin. Earlier this month she said she believes there could be a "blue wave" in next year's midterms as Republicans come under fire over affordability pressures.

Speaking to CNN, the lawmaker said "we're looking that there could be a cycle where R+10 seats flip to Democrats," adding that "if Republicans want to draw a map that makes them more vulnerable to that, that's their decision to do that.

Asked specifically if she believes there could be a "blue wave" next year, she said: "I think so."

A recent poll released by Politico noted that almost half of all respondents said groceries, utility bills, health care, housing and transportation increasingly difficult to afford. Moreover, 27% said they skipped a medical check-up within the past two years due to the cost. 23% said they skipped a prescription dose as a result.

Respondents are also reducing their leisure activities: more than a half (37%) said they couldn't afford to attend a professional sporting event with family or friends, and 46% said they couldn't pay for a vacation involving air travel.