AOC Claps Back, Kari Winter Responds
Kari Winter, a professor of American Studies in UB's Department of Global Gender and Sexuality Studies, was quoted in responding to a heated exchange during a recent congressional hearing.
During a tense House committee hearing on Medicaid reforms, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was interrupted by Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas), who accused her of "playing to the cameras." AOC responded forcefully, asserting that she speaks directly to the American people — especially the millions affected by Medicaid cuts. While Weber later apologized, gender and political experts argue the exchange is emblematic of a deeper, ongoing pattern in American politics — one that demands scrutiny.
Among the most powerful voices responding to the incident is Dr. Kari J. Winter, professor of American Studies at the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. Winter, whose work centers on gender, race, and class, condemned Weber’s behavior as not only “reprehensible” but indicative of a wider trend of male aggression in political spaces — particularly toward women of color. She argued that Weber’s attempt to silence Ocasio-Cortez was part of a broader strategy of distraction that echoes tactics often seen within MAGA-aligned political culture. “Trump and his sycophants constantly deploy distraction to avoid answering on-point questions,” Winter said, noting that Weber's goal was to derail serious discussion of how GOP policies would harm everyday Americans.
Winter didn’t stop at critique. She drew a direct line between the culture of political performance under Trump and the sidelining of women in Congress. According to Winter, the preference for “Fox-camera-ready” appearances over substance and expertise promotes a system where appearance trumps qualification. She emphasized that the spectacle isn’t just unfortunate — it’s dangerous, because it erodes democratic dialogue and suppresses accountability, especially on life-altering policies like healthcare.
In standing with Ocasio-Cortez, Winter championed the necessity of resistance. “May she never yield to disrespectful men,” she said, praising AOC’s refusal to concede the floor. Winter called on all women, particularly those facing male aggression in the workplace, to take inspiration from past civil rights movements and continue to assert their presence and power. “Do not give up your seat on the bus. Do not give up the floor to disrespectful men. Keep your eyes on the prize.”
