Who is Krystal Ball? Political commentator and AOC knock heads over workers’ strike

Ball has called out AOC for not attending the “most substantial worker led organizing effort" against Amazon

PUBLISHED APR 1, 2022

Krystal Ball has slammed AOC online (Getty Images/ Bennett Raglin and Brandon Bell)

Political commentator Krystal Ball and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez got into a verbal argument on Twitter on Thursday, March 31, after the latter apparently failed to show up for a workers’ strike against Amazon in August last year. Ball slammed the socialist lawmaker after she reportedly ditched a labor union rally outside a Staten Island warehouse in New York City but has now shown her support for the borough’s Amazon Labor Union vote.

Replying below AOC’s retweet of the ALU's vote count at the end of the day, Ball said: “Here’s the guy who organized the union drive talking about how you left them high and dry. These are your constituents and you couldn’t be bothered to show up until they’re on the cusp of victory," attaching a YouTube link of the same. The 32-year-old fired back saying, “The warehouse isn’t in my district and maybe you should look at a map before claiming so. One scheduling conflict aside, we have requested oversight investigations into Amazon, met with Amazon workers in the Woodside warehouses, and more. Hope you do more due diligence next time.”

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💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 https://t.co/Rs8EkRs6s1
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 31, 2022

Here’s the guy who organized the union drive talking about how you left them high and dry. These are your constituents and you couldn’t be bothered to show up until they’re on the cusp of victory. https://t.co/5wIu3VbbGi
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) March 31, 2022

The warehouse isn’t in my district and maybe you should look at a map before claiming so. One scheduling conflict aside, we have requested oversight investigations into Amazon, met with Amazon workers in the Woodside warehouses, and more. Hope you do more due diligence next time.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 31, 2022

Journalist Jordan Chariton then replied to AOC while seemingly trying to correct her: “I was told by workers that your folks told them at last minute it was a security issue--not a scheduling conflict. Whether ur district or not, you would think a NY Congressman could've tweeted support--particularly in final weeks--for one of the most important union drives in U.S.”

I was told by workers that your folks told them at last minute it was a security issue--not a scheduling conflict. Whether ur district or not, you would think a NY Congressman could've tweeted support--particularly in final weeks--for one of the most important union drives in U.S
— Jordan (@JordanChariton) March 31, 2022

Security was an issue as well. 2021 included a lot of high level threats on my life, which limited what activities I was able to do, especially those outside. The combination of that + when we are able to get resources/time to secure them creates scheduling + logistical conflicts
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 31, 2022

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol December 8, 2021 in Washington, DC. House Democrats held the news conference to introduce a resolution to remove Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) from her committee assignments over Islamophobic attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN). (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

But the activist did not agree and said, “Security was an issue as well. 2021 included a lot of high level threats on my life, which limited what activities I was able to do, especially those outside. The combination of that + when we are able to get resources/time to secure them creates scheduling + logistical conflicts.” Then Chariton pointed out: “With respect, there's no security concerns with sending out support to @amazonlabor trying to win the first unionized Amazon to 13 million followers. Your voice and organizing power makes a difference.”

With respect, there's no security concerns with sending out support to @amazonlabor trying to win the first unionized Amazon to 13 million followers. Your voice and organizing power makes a difference.
— Jordan (@JordanChariton) March 31, 2022

No security concerns at the met gala 🤔
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) March 31, 2022

Ball then remarked, “No security concerns at the met gala 🤔.” AOC attended the Met Gala in September 2021, where she made headlines for her dress — “a custom Brother Vellies ivory wool jacket dress with an organza flounce and the message ‘Tax the Rich’ emblazoned in red across her back.”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Aurora James attend The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021, in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Besides, when Ball pointed out, “Not 1 member of the squad showed up. They all ghosted Chris. & this wasn’t just another event. It was the most substantial worker led organizing effort at one of the most powerful companies in the world. They all had excuses? For all the many months of this organizing drive?” AOC told her, “So what exactly is the insinuation here? That we are secretly in the tank for Amazon? That we’re ‘sellouts’ despite leading congressional investigations into Amazon, taking huge blowback to call out the scam HQ2 deal, meeting with workers in our district warehouses? It’s reaching.”

Not 1 member of the squad showed up. They all ghosted Chris. & this wasn’t just another event. It was the most substantial worker led organizing effort at one of the most powerful companies in the world. They all had excuses? For all the many months of this organizing drive?
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) March 31, 2022

So what exactly is the insinuation here? That we are secretly in the tank for Amazon? That we’re “sellouts” despite leading congressional investigations into Amazon, taking huge blowback to call out the scam HQ2 deal, meeting with workers in our district warehouses? It’s reaching
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 31, 2022

Who is Krystal Ball?

Apart from being a political commentator, Ball is also “an MSNBC contributor and former Democratic nominee for Congress in the First District of Virginia.” She is also the co-host of the YouTube show and podcast, ‘Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar’. The 40-year-old has co-authored a book, named ‘The Populist's Guide to 2020: A New Right and New Left are Rising’ with Saagar Enjeti.

Ball made headlines in 2010 when some racy old pictures of her apparently leaked. At the time, ABC News reported: “the images were taken six years ago, soon after she graduated from college.” The photos reportedly showed Ball wearing a short skirt and a Santa Claus hat while posing with her husband. The images also included an unidentified woman and a sex toy.

The mother-of-three accused her Republican opponent, Rep. Rob Wittman, of publishing the images. She had also added: “It's sexist and it's wrong, regardless of political party. And I have a message for any young woman who is thinking about running for office and has ever attended a costume party with her husband or done anything stupid on camera. Run for office. Fight for this country. Don't let this sort of tactic deter you.”