Ocasio-Cortez Criticizes Billionaires, Emphasizes American Revolution’s Roots
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, representing New York, has intensified her critique of billionaires, stating that the American Revolution was essentially a fight against “the billionaires of the day.” This comment was made during her speech at the University of Chicago, where she linked the nation’s founding principles to a rebellion against British aristocracy.
“America was built on this rebellion; Thomas Jefferson communicated with Madison about these issues,” Ocasio-Cortez remarked. “The Revolution aimed to proclaim our independence from the excessive intertwining of wealth and power, which often sidelines the voices of everyday people.”
Her remarks came after backlash for claiming that billionaires likely gained their wealth through “abuse” rather than genuine merit. Addressing this criticism, she asserted, “I’m not going to make a billion dollars. You can have market power and break the rules. You can manipulate labor laws, but true earning? That’s questionable. There’s a myth created to suggest it’s all earned.”
Ocasio-Cortez further argued that critics mischaracterize her stance. She responded to those suggesting she views all billionaires as immoral by emphasizing that her focus lies on the “immorality” tied to income inequality. “The American spirit shouldn’t be misused to label my comments as an attack on values. Honestly, not everyone aspires to be a billionaire, and I don’t think that’s a universal goal.
Her statements have drawn criticism, particularly from conservatives. For example, Utah Senator Mike Lee contended that the American Revolution was more about resisting an overreaching government than battling the rich. “No, AOC, the American Revolution wasn’t just against billionaires; it was a response to intrusive governance,” he stated.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz chimed in, suggesting that if a student wrote what she did on a history test, they would receive a failing grade. “This revolution was against an oppressive government that AOC seems to be promoting now,” he added.
In defense of her comments, Ocasio-Cortez posted on social media that wage theft is a rampant issue in the U.S., citing $50 billion lost from workers annually. “Some take offense when I highlight this, but that’s their issue. Call me names if it helps deflect from the truth that workers are suffering,” she remarked, urging the necessity of serious conversations about the abuses of power in governance.
