Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez takes center stage in Bernie Sanders’ largest-ever rally while claiming Republicans are “tricking Americans” with identity politics — even as President Trump dismantles DEI programs nationwide.
At a Glance
- AOC joined Bernie Sanders on his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour in Denver, addressing what was described as his largest rally crowd ever
- While Trump has been removing identity politics from government and military through executive orders, AOC ironically accused Republicans of “stoking divisions along race, identity and culture”
- Ocasio-Cortez is attempting to reframe the Democratic Party divide as those opposing Trump versus those being cautious
- AOC is pushing for Democrats to “fight harder” while preparing her followers for Trump’s policies on tariffs, deportations, and alleged censorship
- Despite being widely considered a potential 2028 Democratic presidential nominee, Bernie Sanders has not endorsed any specific future progressive leader
AOC Claims Republicans “Trick” Americans with Identity Politics
In a remarkable display of political projection, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told Denver rally attendees not to let Republicans “trick” them into thinking they “can be separated” by race or identity politics. This accusation comes as President Trump has been systematically dismantling DEI programs across the federal government through executive orders following his decisive election victory. The rally, part of Sanders’ “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, specifically targeted successful American entrepreneurs including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, while promoting progressive policies.
“The only chance they have to get away with such an unpopular and hurtful agenda is to stoke deep divisions along race, identity and culture to keep us fighting and distracted. It’s not going to work anymore,” AOC told rally goers. “Don’t let them trick us into thinking we are enemies. Don’t let them trick us into being weak and being into thinking we can be separated into rural and urban, black and white and Latino.”
Trump’s Action Against Identity Politics
The congresswoman’s claims stand in stark contrast to President Trump’s recent policy implementations targeting the very identity politics she claims to oppose. Trump has already enacted executive actions eliminating DEI initiatives from universities, the federal government, and the private sector. His administration has asserted these programs harm national defense, undermine military recruitment, and create harmful divisions through race-based preferential treatment that was introduced during the previous Democratic administrations.
“Prior to harmful changes introduced by the Obama and Biden administrations, the United States military offered equality of opportunity to every American capable of and interested in serving their country. Yet these two administrations exploited the military in favor of identity politics — harming our national defense, undermining the non-political nature of our military, and eroding morale and recruitment,” Trump wrote in one of his first Executive Orders after being sworn in. “Due to this ‘woke’ assault, the Services together logged their lowest recruiting records since 1940 with a 41,000-troop shortfall in 2023.”
According to political analysts, identity politics was a significant factor in the Democrats’ recent electoral defeat, yet AOC continues pushing similar messaging while claiming it’s actually Republicans who are divisive. A White House fact sheet confirms Trump is working to restore fairness in federal hiring by terminating DEI initiatives that many Americans view as discriminatory. Many conservative voters supported these moves as a return to merit-based systems rather than quota-driven hiring practices.
AOC’s Push for a “Fighting” Democratic Party
During the Denver rally, Ocasio-Cortez repeatedly called for Democrats to be more confrontational, receiving enthusiastic applause when demanding “a Democratic Party that fights harder for us.” This messaging appears to be part of a broader effort to reposition herself from the progressive fringe toward a more mainstream leadership role, while still maintaining her far-left policy positions. Her approach seems designed to unify Democrats around opposition to Trump rather than specific ideological commitments.
Despite Bernie Sanders not running for president again, his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with AOC has fueled speculation about her potential presidential ambitions for 2028. Sanders himself has refrained from endorsing any specific future progressive leader, simply noting, “There are dozens and dozens of really strong progressives out there who are I think going to be the future political leaders of our country.” Meanwhile, AOC is already warning her followers about Trump’s policies, including tariffs and immigration enforcement.
Preparing for Opposition
Beyond rhetoric, Ocasio-Cortez is actively preparing her followers for organized resistance to Trump administration policies. In a recent Instagram session, she encouraged supporters to join community groups ranging from religious organizations to political action committees like the Democratic Socialists of America. Her emphasis on “physical community” suggests preparation for grassroots activism against Trump’s agenda, particularly regarding immigration enforcement and economic policies.
AOC declared at the rally: “I think a lot of people were finding out this week what a tariff meant, that a tariff is not what China or some other country pays — it’s what you pay. What we pay. I think a lot of people aren’t ready for mass deportations and what that means. One in every 15 people in this country lives in a mixed-status family. So that means that we’re talking about one in every 15 people potentially having their families broken apart. I don’t think we’re ready for that, including what that means for the economy. I don’t think we’re ready for the censorship that is coming, and for a whole lot more. But our job right now is to get ready, and to prepare.”
While criticizing the tendency for “malicious finger-pointing” among Democrats following their electoral loss, AOC nevertheless appears to be positioning herself as a leading voice of opposition to the Trump administration. Her direct communication strategy, including email outreach and social media engagement, reflects an understanding that traditional Democratic Party messaging failed to resonate with voters in the recent election cycle. Whether this approach can succeed remains to be seen as Trump’s administration implements the policies American voters endorsed.
