AOC is under scrutiny from conservatives following her posting of highly inflammatory and defamatory remarks on X about President Trump, prompting one legal expert to suggest that the president should pursue a lawsuit against the congresswoman to the point of financial ruin due to her slanderous statements.
To provide context, on July 11, 2025, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) directed her ire towards President Trump on X after the Justice Department released a contentious memo concerning the Jeffrey Epstein Files. In reaction to the divisive memo, AOC labeled President Trump a “rapist,” asserting that his purported actions had “complicated the release of the Epstein Files.” Conservatives responded to the congresswoman, indicating that she might face legal repercussions for libel.
In her widely circulated post on X, which garnered over 26 million views, AOC mockingly stated, “Wow who would have thought that electing a rapist would have complicated the release of the Epstein Files?” As reported by Fox News, legal analyst Phil Holloway countered the congresswoman’s remarks, asserting, “The President should sue AOC into bankruptcy. I understand she is attempting to elevate her public profile, but this crosses a significant line.”
Furthermore, several Republican lawmakers voiced their strong disapproval of AOC on social media, with Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) commenting, “Even under the exceedingly lenient criteria of NY Times v. Sullivan, you’ve managed to incur defamation liability.” He further remarked, “Wow.” Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) responded, “Why didn’t you all release the Epstein files over the past four years? Perhaps you were too preoccupied with shielding Joe Biden… or could it relate to another former Democrat President?”
AOC’s contentious remarks were made public shortly after the Justice Department issued a memo asserting that there was no “incriminating ‘client list’” found in the Epstein Files, a statement that incited significant backlash from various political factions. This memo even led FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino to threaten resignation unless Attorney General Pam Bondi, whom Bongino holds accountable for the perceived mishandling of the Epstein case, is dismissed.
In reaction to Deputy Director Bongino’s apprehensions, conservative podcaster and former Fox News figure Tucker Carlson expressed strong criticism of AG Bondi, stating that her mishandling of the Epstein files “destroys Dan’s career,” and remarked, “It’s going to be very difficult for him to return to his podcast audience and assert, ‘I’m telling you the truth,’ when they all believe he is concealing information regarding Epstein.”
Conversely, President Trump supported Attorney General Bondi in a Truth Social post dated July 12, 2025, asserting, “They’re all targeting Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is performing a FANTASTIC JOB! We are united as one Team, MAGA, and I disapprove of what is occurring.” The president further stated, “We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and ‘selfish individuals’ are attempting to undermine it, all over a man who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein.”
The president continued by stating that if there were any damaging information in the Epstein files that “could have harmed the MAGA movement,” it would have been disclosed by the prior administration, adding, “LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT! The 2020 Election was Rigged and Stolen, and they attempted to replicate the same in 2024 — That’s what she is investigating as AG, among other matters.”
