Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and several Democratic congresswomen attempted to tap into TikTok culture with a “Choose Your Fighter” video for Women’s History Month—only to find themselves on the receiving end of brutal mockery, including a counterattack from the Trump administration.
The 20-second clip, originally shared by influencer Sulhee Jessica Woo, showcased AOC, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, and Reps. Jasmine Crockett, Lauren Underwood, Judy Chu, and Susie Lee, each paired with fun facts and background music from Super Smash Bros. AOC revealed she was a Trekkie, Clark declared she doesn’t like hair dye, and Underwood admitted she has a distaste for balloons.
The video, however, failed to resonate. The Trump administration’s Rapid Response account quickly mocked it on X, posting: “Democrats Not Be Cringe Challenge. Level: Impossible.”
Then came the White House’s response. On Thursday, they released their own version of the trend, replacing the Democratic lawmakers with President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other administration officials under the caption: “America Chose Its Fighters Last November.”
The video included clips of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on horseback, Attorney General Pam Bondi at a press conference, and border czar Tom Homan stepping off a helicopter. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also made appearances, presenting a stark contrast to the Democrats’ lighthearted approach.
Political analysts weighed in on the backlash. Journalist Peter Hamby noted the bigger mistake: the trend was already outdated. “One of the worst parts about this: the ‘Choose Your Fighter’ trend was popular on TikTok like three years ago,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, columnist Matt Lewis took a more pointed dig, writing: “The problem isn’t policy failures, economic anxiety, or a general sense that everything is coming apart at the seams. No, no—the real issue is that voters just don’t know how much fun their representatives are!”
The incident highlights the growing influence of social media in politics—and the risks that come with trying to be relatable online.
