AOC Took Lobbyist Donations Despite Pledging Not To, Report Finds

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), a prominent figure in progressive politics, has been accused of accepting donations from a lobbyist despite her long-standing pledge to reject such contributions. This revelation, uncovered by an investigation from The Washington Examiner, has sparked significant criticism, as it undermines one of the central tenets of her political platform.

According to the report, AOC’s campaign financial disclosures reveal that Dave Koshgarian, a lobbyist for Ernst & Young, has been one of her most consistent donors. Koshgarian has contributed thousands of dollars to her campaign since 2020.

Koshgarian’s lobbying portfolio includes representing major corporations like Duke Energy, MetLife, General Electric, Charles Schwab, and BlackRock. Additionally, other donors linked to her campaign have represented clients such as Nike, Delta Air Lines, healthcare trade associations, and the New Venture Fund—a key player in a Democratic-aligned dark money network managed by Arabella Advisors.

The report points to a glaring inconsistency: Ocasio-Cortez has built much of her political identity on rejecting corporate and lobbyist influence. On her X (formerly Twitter) profile, where she boasts nearly 13 million followers, AOC describes herself as “people-funded” and explicitly states that she does not take “lobbyist [cash].”

Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign against lobbyist influence has been one of her signature promises. From her first run for Congress in 2018, she positioned herself as a champion of grassroots fundraising, relying on small-dollar donations from everyday Americans.

These revelations have left critics questioning her commitment to her platform and highlighting a perceived hypocrisy. Accepting funds tied to powerful corporations, even indirectly, is seen by detractors as a betrayal of the ideals she claims to uphold.

The timing of this report adds to AOC’s recent challenges. She is still recovering from the political shockwaves of President-elect Donald Trump’s stunning victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Ocasio-Cortez had been a vocal supporter of Harris and often positioned herself as one of Trump’s fiercest critics.

Speaking on a podcast in June, AOC shared her fears about Trump’s potential return to power, suggesting that he might retaliate against political opponents, including herself.

“I mean, it sounds nuts, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy threw me in jail,” she said, referencing Trump’s past rhetoric.

Her comments reflect a broader anxiety among progressives about the implications of Trump’s presidency, particularly regarding threats to dissenters and journalists.

“I take him at his word when he says that he’s going to round up people,” she added. “I feel like what we saw in his first presidency was an amuse-bouche to what his intentions are. He has learned from his mistakes of appointing professionals, and he will not make that mistake next time.”

The accusations of accepting lobbyist donations have led to intense scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum. Conservatives have seized the opportunity to critique Ocasio-Cortez’s integrity, while some progressives express disappointment, feeling that her actions undermine their shared movement against corporate influence.

For her supporters, this controversy raises questions about the feasibility of maintaining ideological purity in a political system heavily reliant on fundraising. Meanwhile, critics see this as a moment of reckoning for AOC, urging her to address the allegations directly.

This incident also brings attention to a broader pattern in politics, where campaign promises are often tested against the realities of governance and fundraising. Critics argue that even well-intentioned candidates like Ocasio-Cortez can find themselves compromising under the pressures of sustaining competitive campaigns.

Still, AOC’s branding as a grassroots champion has made these revelations particularly damaging. Many observers note that she has held herself to a higher standard, and by failing to meet it, she risks eroding the trust of her base.

As the controversy unfolds, the congresswoman will likely face calls to explain the donations and reconcile them with her stated principles. Whether she acknowledges the contributions and makes changes to her campaign practices or dismisses the allegations as overblown remains to be seen.

In the meantime, this incident adds to a growing list of challenges for Ocasio-Cortez as she navigates a fraught political landscape. From the fallout of Trump’s election win to questions about her own fundraising practices, AOC faces a critical moment that could define her political trajectory in the years to come.

Her next steps will be closely watched, not just by her constituents but by a national audience that views her as either a rising progressive star or a symbol of political hypocrisy. For now, the promise of being “people-funded” hangs in the balance.