In her post, Ocasio-Cortez labeled President Donald Trump as a “rapist,” suggesting that this characterization was the reason for the administration’s choice not to disclose the Epstein files.
“Wow, who would have thought that electing a rapist would complicate the release of the Epstein Files,” the New York Democrat stated on X.
AOC was likely alluding to Trump’s legal battle with former Elle Magazine advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, who secured a settlement against him after a federal jury determined he was liable for sexual assault against her in the 1990s. However, the same jury did not find Trump guilty of rape.
Users on the platform quickly highlighted this fact and discussed the potential legal ramifications of making such a false accusation.
“Very strange that none of those allegations surfaced until he began his presidential campaign. Additionally, I am quite certain this constitutes libel and would be an easily winnable case,” one user commented.
“Considering that other more prominent commentators have made similar claims and faced successful lawsuits, I believe you may find yourself in a challenging position here,” another user remarked.
“Donald Trump has not been criminally convicted of rape. As a congresswoman with such significant influence, you ought to be cognizant of this and conduct yourself and communicate accordingly. This is defamation,” another user on X stated.
“Even under the exceedingly lenient standards established by NY Times v. Sullivan, you have managed to incur defamation liability. Incredible,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) commented on X, referencing the pivotal 1964 Supreme Court libel case.
“George Stephanopoulos may suggest that you remove this tweet,” another individual remarked.
Last year, Trump initiated legal action against Stephanopoulos and ABC after the This Week host asserted during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) that Trump had been “found liable for rape.”
In December, ABC and George Stephanopoulos reached an agreement to pay $15 million to Trump’s presidential library foundation, in addition to $1 million in legal expenses, as part of a settlement. The network also issued a public apology for the erroneous statement, as reported by The Post.
“This is defamatory,” Trump supporter Laura Loomer commented regarding Ocasio-Cortez’s tweet. “And I hope you are sued by Trump for this in the same manner that George Stephanopoulos was sued and compelled to pay Trump $15 million.”
“The President ought to sue AOC into bankruptcy,” legal analyst Phil Holloway similarly contended. “I understand she’s attempting to elevate her profile, but this is excessively far,” Holloway added.
“AOC enjoys pretending to be from the block, but in truth, she is merely a sad, miserable blockhead attempting to overcompensate for her lifelong lack of self-confidence,” White House communication director Steven Cheung stated in a declaration.
“Instead, she ought to seek substantial assistance for her evident and severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has deteriorated her pea-sized brain,” he further remarked.
This is not the first occasion Ocasio-Cortez has inaccurately branded Trump a rapist. In a series of TikTok videos released in January prior to the inauguration, she declared she would not participate in the event, asserting that she does not “celebrate rapists.”
“All these journalists are asking, ‘Congresswoman, will you attend the inauguration? Congresswoman, will you attend the inauguration? Will you attend the inauguration?’” she stated in the video.
“Allow me to clarify,” she stated, further adding, “I do not condone rapists. Therefore, I will not be attending the inauguration tomorrow.”
A report from The Hill during that period sought to offer some justification for the congresswoman.
“It remains uncertain what Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent House Democrat and a potential future presidential candidate, is specifically alluding to with her public remarks,” the report indicated, even though it was evident that Trump was being inaugurated as president.
