Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York reignited her ongoing campaign against the ultra-wealthy during a recent podcast episode. She claimed that billionaires don’t truly “earn” their wealth but rather depend on “myths” to validate their financial status.
On “It’s Open,” a podcast hosted by comedian Ilana Glazer, Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the “Squad” argued that having a billion-dollar net worth highlights policy failures more than personal successes.
“Making a billion dollars is impossible,” she stated. “You can wield market power, bend the rules, or underpay people. But can you genuinely earn that wealth? Not really. That’s where you need to spin a narrative… a myth that it’s achievable.”
She elaborated that economic hardships faced by many aren’t merely personal failures, but rather stem from a system that pressures working-class Americans to endure financial struggles.
“Walmart isn’t paying less than a living wage,” she continued, reflecting the mindset she feels is imposed on society. “It’s not because I didn’t work hard enough or make the right choices that I couldn’t climb the economic ladder.”
Ocasio-Cortez also tied wealth inequality to broader cultural issues, pointing out that rising xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments often coincide with significant economic divides.
“I think it’s more than a coincidence that during times of extreme income inequality, we see increased xenophobia,” she noted.
Throughout her conversation, Ocasio-Cortez connected her socialist views to her upbringing in a working-class Puerto Rican household in New York. She shared personal anecdotes from her days as a bartender and waitress, contrasting her experiences with what she labeled “corporate myths.”
Recalling her family’s struggles during the 2008 financial crisis, she expressed how her family, despite doing everything right, was nearly ruined by the system. “We could have followed all the rules… yet sometimes, you’re left hanging without any safety net,” she remarked.
The congresswoman indicated that many Americans have been conditioned to view their financial hardships as individual failings, while simultaneously supporting a system that benefits the immensely wealthy.
Her office did not immediately respond when asked whether she believes that the private sector permits the legal accumulation of billion-dollar fortunes.
In a follow-up statement, Ocasio-Cortez highlighted that, “Wage theft is the primary form of theft in America, with $50 billion lost from workers each year.” She expressed that while some may criticize her for raising these issues, it’s important to have honest discussions about addressing these abuses of power.
