This book explores the impact of new media on politicians’ construction, presentation, and dissemination of their political selves, focusing on the social media presence of US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to offer new insights into the landscape of contemporary political discourse.

Table of contents1. Introduction Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAims of the bookOverarching analytic approachesContents of the book2. Modern political discourse: Innovations and revisited traditionsIntroductionPolitical discourse in the post-digital eraThe language of populism 3. The discursive construction, delegitimization, and defense of political identitiesIntroductionConstructing (political) selves: positioning, narrative, and coherenceContesting the opposition: delegitimization and recontextualizationTaking a stance in the defense of identities4. "It’s time for one of us": the construction of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s political self during her first campaignIntroductionThe selected viral content of Ocasio-Cortez’s first campaignThe construction of a coherent political self in The Courage to ChangeA tweeted narrativeNarrating Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: novelty and populism in her campaign ad and tweets5. Attacks on a progressive newcomer: Fox News coverage and its uptake onlineThe anti-AOC offensiveMethodsDismantling legitimacy on Fox News The recontextualization of Ocasio-Cortez’s words onto Fox NewsFox News coverage of Alexandria Ocasio-CortezYouTube comments about Fox News coverage6. "Get used to me slaying": The discursive realization of a ‘clapback queen’ IntroductionData and Methods"I am incredibly flattered," "This is not about me:" defense, rebuttal, and reprisal on the House floor"Don’t hate me cause you ain’t me, fellas": expressing (dis)alignment on TwitterConclusions7. The identity work of a modern leaderIntroductionNarrating a new political identitySubverting the narrativeSafeguarding the narrativeLooking aheadAppendixIndex