Democratic New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez bashed former President Donald Trump throughout her speech at the opening night of the Democratic National Convention Monday, while highlighting Vice President Kamala Harris‘ promises to working class Americans.
The progressive lawmaker took the stage along with several notable party leaders in Chicago and praised Harris as a “leader with a real commitment to a better future for working families.” Harris made a surprise appearance prior to an anticipated key-note speech from President Joe Biden. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also addressed supporters on night one of the convention.
“Chicago, we have to help her win,” Ocasio-Cortez told a fired-up crowd. “Because we know that Donald Trump would sell this country for a dollar if it meant lining his own pockets and greasing the palms of his Wall Street friends.”
“And I, for one, am tired about hearing about how a two-bit union buster thinks of himself as more of a patriot than the woman who fights every single day to rip working people out from under the boots of greed trampling on our way of life,” the congresswoman continued.
“The truth is, Don, you cannot love this country if you only fight for the wealthy and big business. To love this country is to fight for its people. All people.”
Ocasio-Cortez, who is also known by the nickname AOC, was quick to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden suspended his reelection campaign in late July, posting on X (formerly Twitter) on the day that Harris kickstarted her presidential bid that she pledges “my full support to ensure her victory in November.” The New York congresswoman has also compared supporting former President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign to a vote for “fascism.”
AOC was also a vocal supporter of Biden until his decision to drop out of the 2024 race. Democrats were divided for several weeks over the president’s chances in November after his poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27. Despite dozens of party members calling on Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee, AOC stood strong in her backing for Biden, telling reporters in July, “Joe Biden is our nominee, he is not leaving this race, he is in this race and I support him.”
Early in her speech, she thanked Harris and running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for their “vision,” and also thanked Biden for his “leadership.”
“I am here tonight because America has before us a rare and precious opportunity in Kamala Harris,” AOC told Democrats. “We have a chance to elect a president who is for the middle class, because she is from the middle class.”
Harris unveiled her economic priorities last week during a rally in North Carolina, which included plans to go after price gouging and lower the cost for renters and first-time homeowners. Trump called some of Harris’ policies “full communist” while addressing supporters in Pennsylvania over the weekend, likening Harris’ plans to go after corporate price gouging to “socialist price controls.”
Newsweek reached out to Trump’s campaign Monday night for further comment.
Democrats have also been fractured over Washington’s handling of the war in Gaza, with progressive lawmakers pushing vehemently for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and calling on the Biden administration to end weapons shipment to Israel.
AOC has been a vocal critic of Israel, including accusing the country of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. She has also been the subject of criticism herself by some progressive groups, including the Democratic Socialist of America, who pulled their endorsement of the congresswoman in July after she sponsored an event led by Jewish leaders that focused on combating antisemitism.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered in Chicago on Monday in response to the DNC, sparking increased security measures for the event. Harris has said that she stands with calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, telling reporters after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month, “Israel has a right to defend itself, and how it does so matters.” Her national security advisor, Phil Gordon, recently said over social media that the vice president does not support establishing a weapons embargo against Israel.
AOC briefly addressed the divides over the war in Gaza on Monday, saying that Harris “is working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and bringing hostages home.”
Update 08/19/24, 10:31 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and background.
