Challenges in the Life of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, commonly known as AOC, is a prominent American politician and activist. She has served as the U.S. Representative for New York's 14th congressional district since 2019. As a member of the Democratic Party, she is known for her progressive political views and active use of social media to engage with constituents and the public. She has been a vocal advocate for policies addressing climate change, economic inequality, and social justice, often championing proposals such as the Green New Deal and Medicare for All.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2004: Challenging Joe Crowley

In 2017, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the first person since 2004 to challenge Joe Crowley in the primary.

2008: Father's Death and Probate Dispute

In 2008, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's father died of lung cancer during her second year of college, leading to her involvement in a lengthy probate dispute to settle his estate.

2008: Death of Father and Family Move

In 2008, after the death of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's father, her mother and grandmother moved to Florida due to financial hardship.

2018: Lack of Media Coverage

Until she defeated incumbent Joe Crowley in the 2018 Democratic primary, Ocasio-Cortez received little coverage on most traditional news media outlets.

March 2019: Target of Hoax Claims

In March 2019, PolitiFact reported that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a primary target of hoax claims, including fake quotes and photos, despite being a freshman in Congress, with some originating from 4chan and r/The_Donald.

July 14, 2019: Trump's Attack on the Squad

On July 14, 2019, President Trump attacked 'the Squad', including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, in a tweet, suggesting they should "go back and help fix" their countries of origin, prompting Ocasio-Cortez to label his words as "hallmark language of white supremacists."

July 2019: Fake Quotes Attributed to Ocasio-Cortez

By July 2019, fake material attributed statements originally said by Trump to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, such as "I have a very good brain and I've said lots of things."

July 18, 2019: Police Officer's Threat

On July 18, 2019, a police officer from Gretna, Louisiana, named Charlie Rispoli, posted an apparent threat to shoot Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Facebook, leading to his termination and the deletion of his account.

July 20, 2020: Accosted by Ted Yoho and Roger Williams

On July 20, 2020, U.S. Representatives Ted Yoho and Roger Williams accosted Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the Capitol steps. Yoho called her "disgusting" and a "fucking bitch" after she suggested poverty and unemployment were driving a crime spike in New York City. Yoho later apologized for the "abrupt manner of the conversation" but not for his "passion", leading to a response from Ocasio-Cortez about the culture of violence against women.

2020: Challenged in Democratic Primary

In 2020, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was challenged by Michelle Caruso-Cabrera in the Democratic primary but won the nomination.

February 2021: Disclosed Sexual Assault

In February 2021, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez revealed that she had been sexually assaulted.

February 2021: Ocasio-Cortez recounts Capitol riot experience and past sexual assault

In February 2021, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared her experience of fear during the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol in an Instagram Live video, recounting hiding in her office and fearing for her life. She also disclosed that she had previously experienced sexual assault.

September 2021: Ethics Complaint Filed Over Met Gala Attendance

In September 2021, the American Accountability Foundation filed an ethics complaint against Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for attending the Met Gala, claiming her $35,000 ticket was an illegal gift from Condé Nast.

November 5, 2021: Vote against Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

On November 5, 2021, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was one of six House Democrats who voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act due to its decoupling from the social safety net provisions in the Build Back Better Act.

November 2021: Paul Gosar's social media post depicting violence against Ocasio-Cortez

In November 2021, Representative Paul Gosar posted an edited anime video depicting him attacking and killing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. This led to calls for investigation and censure, with Ocasio-Cortez condemning the video as part of a pattern normalizing violence. The House voted to censure Gosar.

September 2022: Comments on potential presidential run and misogyny

In September 2022, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez discussed a potential presidential run, expressing both belief that anything is possible and concern about the prevalence of misogyny, particularly against women of color, in the country.

December 2022: Vote against omnibus spending package

In December 2022, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was the only House Democrat to vote against an omnibus spending package because it increased funding for defense and federal agencies that oversee immigration.

December 2024: Bid for ranking member of House Oversight Committee

In December 2024, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a bid for ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, but was unsuccessful, losing to Gerry Connolly.