AOC Under Fire for Potentially Defamatory Attack on President Trump Over Epstein Files
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing growing criticism — and possible legal consequences — after making a reckless accusation against President Donald J. Trump on social media, referring to him as “a rapist” in the context of the Epstein case.
The congresswoman’s inflammatory statement came Friday in response to the Justice Department’s announcement that no further Jeffrey Epstein-related files would be released. Ocasio-Cortez posted on X:
“Wow who would have thought that electing a rapist would have complicated the release of the Epstein Files?”
While clearly targeting President Trump, her post immediately drew intense backlash — including legal experts pointing out the serious risk of defamation. Notably, Trump was not found liable for rape in the 2023 E. Jean Carroll civil case. The jury found him civilly liable for sexual abuse and defamation — a critical legal distinction Ocasio-Cortez chose to ignore.
Many conservatives swiftly called for legal action, suggesting President Trump should pursue a defamation suit similar to the one successfully brought against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) wrote:
“Even under the ridiculously lenient standards of NY Times v. Sullivan, you’ve managed to incur defamation liability. Wow.”
Others echoed the sentiment. “The President should sue AOC into bankruptcy,” said legal analyst Phil Holloway. “This is way, way too far.”
Trump’s previous defamation lawsuit against Stephanopoulos, filed after the anchor falsely stated Trump had been found liable for rape, ended with ABC paying $15 million to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation and covering $1 million in legal fees. The network also issued a public apology for the false claim.
Conservative commentator Laura Loomer called out AOC’s tweet directly, saying:
“This is defamatory. 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.”
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung did not confirm whether legal action was being considered but issued a scathing rebuke:
“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 over-compensate for her lack of self-confidence that has followed her for her entire life,” Cheung said.
“Instead, she should get some serious help for her obvious and severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted her pea-sized brain.”
The dust-up recalls the March 2024 incident that led to ABC’s settlement, when Stephanopoulos grilled Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on her endorsement of Trump.
“You’ve endorsed Donald Trump for president. Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape,” Stephanopoulos falsely claimed. Mace, a rape survivor herself, strongly objected to the framing:
“I was raped at the age of 16... I didn’t come forward because of that judgment and shame that I felt... I’m not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim. I’m not going to do that.”
The host tried to walk back his tone, but the damage was done — and ABC soon paid the price.
As for AOC, legal observers say she may be next.