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U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has urged the Democratic Party to reclaim its identity as champions of the working class in response to President Donald Trump’s second term. Speaking on Jon Stewart’s podcast, The Weekly Show, on Thursday, AOC criticized the party’s increasing alignment with the wealthy elite and outlined a bold vision to counter Trumpism and its exploitation of working-class frustrations.
AOC stressed that Democrats must break ties with billionaires and corporations to effectively represent “everyday people.” Trump’s policies, she argued, reveal glaring opportunities for Democrats to present themselves as the true advocates for workers.
She highlighted Trump’s connections to tech billionaires like Elon Musk, his extension of the 2017 tax cuts favoring the rich, and his deregulation promises to oil executives as examples of the president’s betrayal of his working-class rhetoric.
“One of the things we need to do is talk to people directly,” AOC said. “There need to be Democrats who walk the walk and talk the talk. There’s an insane amount of hypocrisy, and Republicans exploit it.”
AOC pointed to congressional insider trading as a prime example of this hypocrisy. She criticized lawmakers, including Democrats, for using non-public information to profit from stock trades.
She specifically cited former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Suzan DelBene, for their significant trading activity involving Pentagon contractors. AOC has long called for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress.
“People think everyday folks are stupid,” AOC said. “Do you really think they don’t see this? And we’re supposed to act like money only corrupts Republicans? Give me a break.”
AOC also addressed Trump’s growing support among working-class voters earning less than $100,000 annually, despite his policies undermining labor rights, minimum wage increases, and collective organizing. Meanwhile, wealthier voters shifted toward Democrats, further distancing the party from its traditional working-class base.
To counter Trumpism, AOC called for Democrats to become “brawlers for the working class.” She criticized the party’s strategy of pursuing affluent voters through compromises, saying, “We’ve been chasing this affluent group and making all these little concessions, hoping working people don’t notice.”
AOC’s progressive platform, including the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and tuition-free public college, reflects her commitment to addressing systemic inequalities. She has consistently advocated for policies that prioritize climate action, healthcare, and education for all.
Despite her campaign for a top seat on the House Oversight Committee, she lost to a more senior Democrat, underscoring the party’s internal resistance to change.
The congresswoman’s interview with Stewart coincided with reports of Democratic leaders struggling to define their resistance to Trump’s Cabinet appointments. AOC criticized this lack of direction, arguing it reveals misplaced priorities. Jesse Brenneman, editor of the Know Your Enemy podcast, echoed this sentiment, saying, “The fact Democrats don’t know what to do tells you everything about their priorities.”
In an email to supporters after Trump’s inauguration, AOC reiterated her critique of billionaire influence in politics. Highlighting tech moguls at the inauguration while many elected officials were sidelined, she wrote, “You’re getting ripped off. All of us are going to be getting ripped off for the next four years, but what do we do about it?”
AOC warned that Trump’s billionaire-backed administration will continue to exploit the working class, urging Democrats to fight harder than ever to promote progressive policies. “The Trump trifecta has taken hold, and so have their billionaire right-wing donors. Our movement for real progress will have to push harder than ever these next four years,” she said.
