Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s latest X post has ignited a firestorm, accusing President Donald Trump of being a “rapist” in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to Fox News.
The New York congresswoman’s Friday post referenced a 2023 civil trial where Trump was found liable for sexual assault, not rape, in a lawsuit by writer E. Jean Carroll, prompting critics to cry foul over her inflammatory rhetoric.
Ocasio-Cortez’s claim, tying Trump to Epstein’s notorious 2019 death in a New York jail cell while facing child sex trafficking charges, has drawn sharp rebukes from conservative voices who see it as a reckless smear.
“Wow who would have thought that electing a rapist would have complicated the release of the Epstein Files?” Ocasio-Cortez posted on X, a statement that legal analyst Phil Holloway called a step too far, urging Trump to “sue AOC into bankruptcy.”
Holloway’s reaction reflects a broader conservative sentiment that Ocasio-Cortez’s words cross a legal line, especially given Trump’s denial of Carroll’s 1990s allegations and his claim they were fabricated for book sales.
Sen. Mike Lee chimed in, suggesting that even under the lenient defamation standards of NY Times v. Sullivan, Ocasio-Cortez’s post could expose her to liability.
The controversy echoes a March 2024 defamation settlement where ABC News and host George Stephanopoulos paid Trump $15 million after Stephanopoulos repeatedly called him a rapist during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace.
Stephanopoulos’s claim, made 10 times on ABC’s “This Week,” falsely stated Trump was civilly liable for rape, leading to an editor’s note from ABC regretting the statements.
Trump ally Laura Loomer piled on, warning Ocasio-Cortez that her X post lacks the congressional protections she enjoys during official proceedings, predicting a costly lawsuit.
Ocasio-Cortez’s post also questioned the Trump Department of Justice’s handling of the Epstein case, noting their statement that no client list exists, a claim skeptics like Sen. Markwayne Mullin challenged on X.
Mullin fired back, asking why the Epstein files weren’t released earlier, hinting at possible political cover-ups while avoiding direct accusations.
The Epstein saga, culminating in his 2019 jail cell death, remains a lightning rod, with Ocasio-Cortez’s comments reigniting debates over transparency and accountability.
Bill Mitchell, host of YourVoice America, called Ocasio-Cortez’s statement “idiotic,” arguing that Trump’s lack of criminal rape charges makes her post grounds for a “huge defamation suit.”
Rachel Alexander, a Townhall contributor, mocked Ocasio-Cortez’s intelligence, pointing to the ABC settlement as a warning of what might await the congresswoman.
White House communication director Steven Cheung took a sharper tone, telling Fox News Digital that Ocasio-Cortez’s “pea-sized brain” suffers from “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” though he stopped short of endorsing a lawsuit.
Fox News Digital sought comment from Ocasio-Cortez’s office on Sunday but received no immediate response, leaving her post’s fallout to dominate conservative circles.
Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez spoke at a NYCLU May Day rally for worker and immigrant rights in New York on May 1, 2025, showing no signs of backing down from her progressive platform.
Trump, addressing supporters at CPAC on February 22, 2025, in Maryland, has not publicly responded to the congresswoman’s post, but the online furor suggests this feud is far from over.
Ocasio-Cortez’s critics argue her post not only misrepresents the 2023 Carroll verdict but also risks escalating political discourse into dangerous territory.
The congresswoman’s defenders might see her as boldly confronting power, but conservatives view it as a desperate bid for relevance, with one anonymous X user warning she’s playing a “dangerous game” outside congressional immunity.
As the Epstein case continues to haunt political narratives, Ocasio-Cortez’s provocative claim ensures this controversy will linger, with potential legal consequences looming large.
