Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) didn’t rule out a potential 2028 presidential run when asked by Fox News Digital about a viral campaign-style video that has sparked online speculation about her political future.
When pressed on the matter, the New York congresswoman redirected the conversation toward what she described as more urgent priorities.
“I think what people should be most concerned about is the fact that Republicans are trying to cut Medicaid right now, and people’s healthcare is in danger. That’s really where my focus is,” Ocasio-Cortez told Fox News.
Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have pushed back on such claims. They’ve repeatedly stated that they are not cutting Medicaid or Medicare benefits, but rather aiming to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse within the programs—citing concerns raised by groups like Elon Musk’s DOGE team.
Ocasio-Cortez, speaking on Capitol Hill, emphasized that the current moment should not be viewed through a political lens.
“This moment isn’t about campaigns, or elections, or politics. It’s about making sure people are protected,” she said. “We’ve got people being locked up for exercising their First Amendment rights. We’ve got toddlers being deported to Honduras. We’ve got families at risk of losing Medicaid coverage. That’s what matters most right now.”
(For context, federal officials are not deporting toddlers to prison cells, though border enforcement has come under scrutiny for handling unaccompanied minors amid ongoing immigration enforcement under the Biden administration.)
In recent months, Ocasio-Cortez has been on the road with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as part of the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour—an effort aimed at spotlighting economic inequality and corporate influence in politics. The tour, combined with a recent video posted by her campaign account on X (formerly Twitter), has led some to speculate that she may be laying the groundwork for a future presidential campaign. The video, which features AOC declaring, “We are one,” has been widely shared online.
As a four-term congresswoman and prominent member of the progressive “Squad,” Ocasio-Cortez’s political moves continue to draw national attention—especially as the Democratic Party looks ahead to its future leadership.
