Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s latest attack on Donald Trump—a tweet labeling him a “rapist”—has ignited a legal and political firestorm that could cost her dearly, as critics demand she be held to the same standard that recently cost ABC News $16 million for a similar false claim.
At a Glance
- AOC called Donald Trump a “rapist” on social media, echoing a claim that led to a massive legal payout from ABC News.
- Trump allies and legal experts are pushing for a defamation lawsuit against AOC, citing the ABC/Stephanopoulos settlement as precedent.
- The legal distinction between “sexual abuse” and “rape” is central, with Trump never found liable for rape.
- This controversy highlights the growing legal risk for public figures making reckless statements online.
AOC Doubles Down on Defamatory Rhetoric—And the Left Cheers
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, never one to let facts or legal precedent get in the way of a good social media rant, fired off a tweet calling Donald Trump a “rapist.” The problem? Not even the highly partisan jury in the E. Jean Carroll civil case found Trump liable for rape—they ruled on “sexual abuse” and defamation, a critical legal distinction. Yet, here’s AOC, echoing the exact slander that triggered a $16 million settlement with ABC News after anchor George Stephanopoulos made the same false claim on national television. Now, with her tweet still up and no apology in sight, she’s facing a chorus of calls for legal action, and the left seems eager to ignore their own rules when the target is Trump.
Trump’s allies wasted no time, flooding social media and cable news with demands for a lawsuit. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung didn’t mince words, torching AOC’s credibility and daring her to face the same consequences ABC News did. The political world watched as even legal experts and sitting senators pointed out the obvious: if ABC and Stephanopoulos had to pay up, why shouldn’t AOC?
Legal Precedent Looms—And the Stakes Are Sky-High
Just six months ago, ABC News and George Stephanopoulos learned the hard way that calling Trump a “rapist”—when he was never found liable for rape—carries a steep price. They settled for $16 million, $15 million of which went straight to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation, along with a public apology. The case established a major precedent: even public figures and news anchors aren’t immune from defamation lawsuits when they cross the line from opinion to outright falsehood, especially when actual malice can be shown. Legal analysts point to the Supreme Court’s New York Times v. Sullivan standard, which requires “actual malice” when defaming public figures, but with ABC’s settlement, the appetite for risk is clearly gone in corporate media circles.
The fact that AOC, a sitting member of Congress with a massive social media following, would ignore this precedent and double down on the same defamatory language isn’t just reckless—it’s a calculated gamble. And it’s one that could backfire spectacularly, given the current legal climate and the precedent set by the ABC settlement. While the lawsuit clock is ticking, and as of July 13, no suit has been filed, the pressure is mounting. Legal experts warn that the left’s “anything goes” approach to smearing political opponents is running out of road.
Free Speech, Defamation, and the Left’s Double Standard
Democrats love to champion free speech—right up until someone uses it to criticize them. But when it comes to targeting Trump, they seem to believe the rules don’t apply. The legal and ethical boundaries of public speech are now front and center, with AOC’s case exposing the left’s blatant double standard. ABC News was forced to grovel publicly and pay up for a similar offense, but some progressives are still pretending AOC’s reckless tweet is just “political speech.”
The message is clear: if you have a blue checkmark and a leftist audience, you can say whatever you want about Trump, no matter how false or damaging. But the courts—and the American people—are waking up to the abuse of speech masquerading as “truth to power.” This isn’t just about Trump or AOC; it’s about whether high-profile progressives can defame their opponents with impunity while hiding behind the First Amendment. The law says otherwise, and after ABC’s $16 million lesson, AOC may soon find herself writing a very expensive apology.
