New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—well-known for her progressive ideals—took to her Instagram stories on Sunday to ask for feedback from people who voted for her and for the GOP's presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
@AOC/Instagram
AOC—who was first elected in 2018—then shared some of the results.
She also shared her thoughts in several subsequent Instagram stories posts.
@AOC/Instagram
A few parroted right-wing extremist rhetoric about men's rights or GOP propaganda:
"Trump is going to get us the money and let's men have a voice. You're brilliant and have amazing passion!"
"She wasn't the choice of the people. No primary. couldn't interview. No clear policies"
"She was more for rights then the economy & when she talked ab it she didn't have a plan"
"I support you and did this. Felt like I didn't have a choice after Biden's administration."
"I live in PA and voted trump and rest D. Kamala just had no policy's it was scary. Most of my family also"
But most highlighted how similar they thought AOC and Trump are:
"It's real simple... trump and you care for the working class"
"But wanted change so I went with trump and blue for the rest of the ballot to put some brakes"
"Voted Trump, but I like you & Bernie. I don't trust either party establishment politicians"
"Action & Progress >> Stagnation & Excuses. Both of you push boundaries and force growth."
"I would have voted for you and Trump but I am in California. I like your style though"
"I feel like Trump and you are both real."
"voted for Trump in Arizona but voted for dem Ruben instead of Kari lake bocz taught he's good handling war"
"I feel that you both are outsiders compared to the rest of DC, and less 'establishment'"
"But also you signified change. Trump signified change. I've said lately, Trump sounds more like you"
"You are focused on the real issues people care about. Similar to Trump populism in some ways."
"loved ones say you're both straightforward and challenging corruption and broken gov"
"Because it's different than what has been the last 4 years. Something had to go. We chose"
"I voted Trump and dems because he reached out to Muslims"
A few claimed they voted for AOC because Democrats were better for "local" work, not national
The legislative branch of the federal government—where AOC serves—is a national, not local position.
"Dems do better job at the local level, but are terrible at the macro level."
"mom does this. says she votes Dem local for services and Rep national for budget"
But AOC responded to this comment with:
"Heard this from an Ohio voter too"
Several shared comments that mentioned war or Gaza.
"He speaks of war as something that is bad. Democrats became the party that supports war"
"I know ppl that did this and it was bc of Gaza."
"Voted for trump and you, not genocide Harris. Dems need bernie!!"
"Because of Gaza"
AOC responded to these comments:
"I'd like to talk about the Gaza piece of this as well I will make some stories about it later"
Some of the comments shared were left by straight blue ticket voters.
"I voted all DEM but damn you guys make it so hard! I think I identify more with you&bernie"
"Will you please share what you learn, I'm baffled by the split votes."
"I feel like you couldn't be further from trump so the responses r baffling.Love u"
"That people compare you to him as equal thinkers is 🤯🫠 Truly shocked by these replies."
"Of the people that voted for you or blue, and T[rump], why didn't the felon[ies] and rape matter?"
"The responses you got make me want to barf"
AOC again responded:
"sometimes you gotta dig in and see it to understand and adapt! Even if it makes you want to barf"
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The first presidential election that had AOC on the ballot with Trump was in 2020.
That year, AOC's congressional district voted 77% for Joe Biden and 22% for Trump. In this year's election, Harris was down 12% from Biden at 65% and Trump was up by 11% to 33%.
AOC was down just 3% in 2024, going from 72% in 2020 to 69% this year. Some of her constituents split the ticket, voting for the Democratic Congressperson and Trump on the same ballot.
In a follow-up question, the New York Democrat asked Trump supporters where they get their info/news.
@AOC/Instagram
However, Trump voters weren't as willing to respond to this question.
Initial responses were largely defensive.
@AOC/Instagram
Comments included:
"Podcasts in which you and other Democrats should be on."
"You're making it sound like the public was misinformed that's why they voted Trump."
"Stop acting like us maga people are the ones with the disinformation problem. Insane."
So AOC went back to stories to reiterate she only wanted sources of information and made no allegations of disinformation in her actual question or the accompanying video. She also gave examples of her own information sources to illustrate her point.
After clarifying, she received some responses about Trump voters' information sources.
@AOC/Instagram
Representative Ocasio-Cortez then asked the same question of "leftists" and more importantly—according to the Democratic Congressperson—of non-voters, especially in swing states.
How such questions will affect future political campaigns—if they do—remains to be seen.
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