Ocasio-Cortez’s Campaign Spending Under Scrutiny
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign is facing criticism due to reports that indicate she spent tens of thousands of dollars on luxury hotel rentals and venues for Bad Bunny concerts in Puerto Rico. Her campaign asserts that these trips are made to support local initiatives and to organize events, which often require both staff and security.
According to reports, her campaign disbursed around $50,000 in Puerto Rico between June and September for various expenses such as venue rentals and accommodations. Notably, a venue rental cost approximately $23,000, which was in the same vicinity where she was seen enjoying a Bad Bunny concert.
Video footage from August showcases Ocasio-Cortez at a housing project advocating against gentrification, while other clips capture her dancing alongside Rep. Nydia Velasquez at a Bad Bunny concert on August 10. Throughout that period, Bad Bunny performed on a 31-date tour at San Juan’s Coliseo de Puerto Rico, featuring appearances from multiple celebrities.
The third-quarter campaign finance report shows that her campaign allocated over $15,000 for stays at luxury hotels in San Juan during Bad Bunny’s tour. Additionally, they spent more than $10,500 on meals and catering services during the same timeframe.
Bad Bunny, a well-known Puerto Rican artist, is set to headline the next Super Bowl, which has generated some debate regarding his selection.
Interestingly, the finance filings indicated that Ocasio-Cortez also spent significant amounts on luxury accommodations during her “War on the Oligarchies” tour with Sen. Bernie Sanders. For instance, she reportedly shelled out $5,000 for a stay at the Hotel Vermont and $3,000 at the Arlo Williamsburg in New York. Sanders, himself, has faced scrutiny for utilizing private jets, justifying it by saying he wouldn’t want to be in long queues at airports.
Oliver Hidalgo-Wahleven, Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign manager, defended her spending, explaining that the congresswoman frequently travels to Puerto Rico to bolster local causes and facilitate events that necessitate security and staffing. He characterized this spending as an investment in grassroots mobilization.
Despite the criticism, Ocasio-Cortez is committed to advocating for the people of Puerto Rico and the larger Puerto Rican community abroad. At the same time, she continues to rally support for her vision of a socialist future, aligning herself with New York’s socialist mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani, and challenging narratives that label their ambitions as unrealistic.
