Ocasio-Cortez slammed over ‘defamatory’ Trump, Jeffrey Epstein post: ‘Sue AOC into bankruptcy’
Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) faced heavy backlash online after she posted a tweet calling former President Donald Trump “a rapist.” Many people were shocked by her words and said that what she posted could lead to Trump suing her for defamation — which means damaging someone’s reputation by spreading false information.
The controversy began when AOC commented on the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender known for his connections to powerful figures. She tweeted that electing “a rapist” had made it harder to release those files, clearly referring to Trump. Her tweet seemed to connect Trump to both Epstein and a past court case involving E. Jean Carroll, a writer who accused Trump of sexual assault. In that 2023 civil trial, Trump was found liable for sexually abusing Carroll, but **not** for rape — a key legal difference that AOC did not acknowledge in her post.
That detail led to intense criticism from many on social media, including politicians, lawyers, and Trump supporters. Some accused her of making a serious legal mistake. Senator Mike Lee from Utah even said her tweet might count as defamation under U.S. law, referencing a major court case about free speech and public figures. Others brought up a recent lawsuit Trump filed against TV host George Stephanopoulos, who had incorrectly said Trump was found liable for rape. In that case, Stephanopoulos and his network, ABC, ended up paying Trump millions and issued a public apology.
Trump supporters online were quick to say that AOC should face the same legal consequences. Some even said Trump should sue her “into bankruptcy,” calling the tweet irresponsible and damaging. They suggested she was only trying to get attention and that her attack on Trump had gone too far.
AOC also seemed to suggest in her tweet that Trump’s legal history might be one reason why more information about Jeffrey Epstein hasn’t been made public — a claim that stirred even more anger from her critics.
While the White House didn’t comment on whether Trump is thinking about suing AOC, one of Trump’s communications officials didn’t hold back. He insulted AOC personally, calling her names and saying she was obsessed with Trump.
Overall, AOC’s tweet sparked a political firestorm, with many people saying she crossed a line and could face legal trouble for her words.
