Ocasio-Cortez Campaign Spending in Puerto Rico
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) campaign has reportedly spent close to $50,000 on lavish accommodations and dining experiences in Puerto Rico between late June and September. This includes $23,000 on venue rentals at the San Juan Arena, the same location where video footage depicted her dancing in a suite during a Bad Bunny concert in August.
During her visit in August, a video surfaced showing her engaging with a housing development to combat gentrification, alongside clips of her enjoying the concert. Bad Bunny’s residency tour in San Juan featured numerous celebrities, including LeBron James and Penélope Cruz.
According to the third-quarter financial disclosures, AOC’s campaign incurred over $15,000 on stays at two upscale hotels in San Juan, where Bad Bunny held his concerts. Additionally, over $10,500 was spent on meals and catering services during this period.
Details from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings reveal payments to Hotel Palacio Provincial and Hotel El Convento, amounting to thousands for various overnight stays. For instance, one payment to Hotel Palacio Provincial totaled $9,440.79 in late September, while a $3,861.20 payment was made to Hotel El Convento in August. Altogether, she spent approximately $15,489.77 on her trips to Puerto Rico.
The filings also indicate $10,743.13 was spent on “catering” and “meals” in Puerto Rico, with expenses at upscale eateries like Cocina Abierta and Verde Mesa. Moreover, the campaign reported spending over $23,000 on venue rentals at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, where AOC attended one of Bad Bunny’s concerts.
In response to these expenditures, AOC’s campaign manager stated that she frequently travels to Puerto Rico to support local initiatives and events that necessitate staff and security. The manager emphasized her commitment to grassroots organizations.
However, Ocasio-Cortez’s extravagant spending raises questions regarding the contrast between her affluent choices and her working-class campaign narrative. Beyond Puerto Rico, she also accumulated significant bills at boutique hotels and upscale restaurants across various states during this same timeframe, including substantial expenses during her earlier “Fight the Oligarchy” tour with Senator Bernie Sanders.
Her previous filings revealed she spent nearly $5,000 at the Hotel Vermont in Burlington. Other notable expenses encompassed thousands at a luxury hotel near Central Park and over $3,000 at a high-rise hotel in Brooklyn.
Recent FEC filings also showcased high restaurant bills, including a notable $6,300 at a prominent restaurant in D.C., alongside $4,500 spent on ice cream in New York. Additional dining expenses across various high-end establishments totaled more than $7,000 in just a few months.
