Far-left Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez faced backlash after sharing a video on Instagram that blamed rising prices solely on corporations and described talk of inflation as “propaganda.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to repost the video sparked anger among her own voters and those on social media.
The video was the product of Aotearoa Liberation League, an organization that describes itself as a “decolonial justice project” from New Zealand, and argued that corporations are fueling inflation.
“The propaganda around inflation and the cost of living is so powerful that we forget the basic fact that corporations set the prices for their products.”
Democrats’ decision to post the video sparked anger in her district
“Is AOC crazy?” Latisha Law, a certified nursing assistant from the Bronx, said. ‘Has she been to a supermarket recently? $1,000 is nothing anymore. $100 is nothing anymore. Maybe she should put some time into the projects and really help people.’
The video was the product of Aotearoa Liberation League, an organization that describes itself as a “decolonial justice project” from New Zealand
Controversial Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez shared the video describing inflation as “propaganda” on her Instagram account
Ocasio-Cortez waves to photographers, accompanied by Chilean President Gabriel Boric. Her followers are now criticizing her for posting the video, with one asking: ‘Has she been to a supermarket recently?’
Inflation has devastated the U.S. economy and made it harder for people to buy everyday items. At one point in June, inflation reached 9.1 percent, although it has cooled as the Federal Reserve has raised mortgage rates to bring the figure down.
As a result of the price increases, Americans have started paying more for goods from food to utilities.
After reposting the video, the politician was criticized by people who saw it as a way to shift blame to politicians and corporations.
The activist in the video attributes the rising prices to “a bunch of greedy shareholders.”
The video sparked outrage from some people in her district to rip the controversial congresswoman for sharing the video. Latisha Law said she worked two jobs “just to survive.”
‘I’m killing myself just to feed my family. It is much worse now than before the pandemic,” the single mother of three added.
Underlying the anger was the belief that the government — including elected officials like Ocasio-Cortez — should play a role in curbing inflation.
Ocasio Cortez represents New York 14th Congressional District which includes parts of Queens and the southeastern Bronx.
About 14.5 percent of people in the district live below the poverty line and only 30 percent of the population has a bachelor’s degree. Nearly half of the population is foreign-born, with the majority reporting Latin American descent.
Reporters from the New York Post spoke to a handful of the county’s nearly 700,000 residents, but concluded they all had similar stories.
They noted that the majority of people did not know who the representative was and had difficulty identifying the Democrat.
In the video from Aotearoa New Zealand, an activist blames ‘a bunch of greedy shareholders’ for causing inflation and dismisses the discourse around inflation as ‘propaganda’
Ocasio-Cortez, seen here at a public housing town hall in 2019, was criticized for rarely spending time in her neighborhood in recent years
The 33-year-old represents New York’s 14th Congressional District, which spans the Bronx and Queens
Lattina Brown, who ran for New York City Council in 2021, wrote, “I live in her district and we can barely afford basic necessities. The rent is very high. She’s full of nonsense!’
Several users on
“It’s time for the people who voted for her to realize their mistake,” one user wrote. ‘Only their voice can change the pressure on their lives. It will only get worse if they come around every month.”
Quoting the article, another user wrote: “Most couldn’t identify her or know who she was – but they will go to the polls, see the incumbent by her name and re-elect her.”
“And yet they keep voting for her,” said another. ‘I don’t feel sorry for her voters at all. They get what they voted for.”
Other people condemned the politician for being out of touch with the reality her voters faced.
“In her defense, she is now in the political class, inflation has no effect on her and her comrades whatsoever, so technically she is telling ONE truth, but not THE truth,” one user said.
Ocasio-Cortez drew similar ire when she attended the 2021 Met Gala in a white floor-length dress emblazoned with the words “TAX THE RICH.”
She was criticized for being a hypocrite in attending an event where tickets cost $35,000.
“AOC wearing a Tax The Rich dress to an event where the entry fee is 30,000 per person sums up everything that is wrong with our country,” one user commented on X.
“If she wanted to tax the rich she would have protested the Met Gala, but she joined the party instead,” wrote another.
AOC was criticized for attending the 2021 Met Gala, where tickets cost more than $30,000. She later became the subject of an investigation after an impartial watchdog raised concerns about receiving gifts
Social media users reacted to the politician’s bold clothing choice and pondered the irony of wearing it to an event where admission cost tens of thousands of dollars
In addition to attending the party, the congressional representative reportedly only paid for her dress, hair, makeup, hotel room and other items after she was contacted by the Office of Congressional Ethics.
The young politician subsequently faced an investigation after an investigation found ‘substantial grounds to believe that she had accepted impermissible gifts’.
The judgement found that in connection with the event, she received a dress, shoes and accessories, as well as hair and makeup services, transportation and a hotel room.
Ocasio-Cortez only paid for the items after she was contacted by the Office of Congressional Ethics.
The OCE forwarded a referral to the Ethics Committee of the United States House of Representatives on June 23, 2022.
According to the referral, the 33-year-old “may have violated House rules, standards of conduct and federal law” in accepting the gifts.