Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) came under intense fire online after referring to President Trump as “a rapist” in a social media post, with critics arguing the remark could be grounds for a defamation lawsuit.
The backlash erupted following a post by Ocasio-Cortez on X Friday that referenced Trump and newly released documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “Wow who would have thought that electing a rapist would have complicated the release of the Epstein Files?” she wrote, seemingly referring to Trump and the 2023 civil trial in which he was found liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll.
Trump, however, was not found liable for rape in that case—an important legal distinction omitted from Ocasio-Cortez’s post. The comment triggered calls across social media for Trump to consider legal action.
“Even under the ridiculously lenient standards of NY Times v. Sullivan, you’ve managed to incur defamation liability. Wow,” wrote Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) on X, referencing the landmark 1964 Supreme Court case regarding libel.
Another user added, “George Stephanopoulos might advise you to take down this tweet.”
Last year, Trump sued Stephanopoulos and ABC after the “This Week” host inaccurately stated during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) that Trump had been “found liable for rape.” The network later settled the case, agreeing to pay $15 million to Trump’s presidential library foundation and an additional $1 million in legal fees, along with issuing a public apology.
“This is defamatory,” said Trump ally Laura Loomer of Ocasio-Cortez’s tweet. “And I hope you are sued by Trump for this the same way George Stephanopoulos was sued and forced to pay Trump $15 million dollars.”
Legal analyst Phil Holloway echoed the sentiment: “The President should sue AOC into bankruptcy.”
“I realize she’s trying to raise her profile but this is way way too far,” Holloway also wrote.
Ocasio-Cortez appeared to imply that Trump’s legal battle with Carroll may be behind delays in the release of more Epstein-related files.
The White House declined to comment on whether the president is considering legal action.
“AOC likes to play pretend like she’s from the block, but in reality she’s just a sad, miserable blockhead who is trying to overcompensate for her lack of self-confidence that has followed her for her entire life,” said White House communications director Steven Cheung in a statement.
“Instead, she should get some serious help for her obvious and severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted her pea-sized brain,” he added.
