Luna slams GOP senator for ‘bartending’ swipe at AOC after Munich appearance
The Hill
by Max RegoFebruary 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) has criticized Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) for mocking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) experience as a bartender during his recent remarks in Munich, Germany. In a statement on the social platform X, Luna expressed her disagreement with Kennedy’s comments, noting that while she doesn’t often align with Ocasio-Cortez, dismissing someone’s past work as a bartender is “tone deaf” and inappropriate. She emphasized that such criticism lacks depth and fails to address meaningful issues.
Luna’s critique highlights the broader debate over how politicians’ personal experiences are used in political discourse. While Ocasio-Cortez has often been targeted for her bartending background, Luna argued that this approach undermines the value of diverse career paths and disregards the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries like politics. Her comments underscore a growing conversation about the importance of respecting individuals’ backgrounds, even when disagreeing with their political stances.
This incident reflects the ongoing tension between humor and respectability in political discourse, particularly when it comes to gender and professional identity. By speaking out, Luna has drawn attention to the broader implications of mocking someone’s past work, which often intersects with issues of class and gender bias in politics. Her stance also highlights the internal divisions within the Republican Party over how to engage with opponents, as well as the larger cultural shifts around workplace diversity and inclusion.
Verticals
politicsnews
Originally published on The Hill on 2/22/2026