Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign spending in Puerto Rico has raised eyebrows, not just for its scale but for its opulence. Between late June and September, Ocasio-Cortez’s team disbursed nearly $50,000 in a territory where many struggle economically. A significant part of this sum went toward luxury hotels, high-end meals, and extravagant venue rentals.
Media reports reveal that Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign spent around $15,000 at two upscale hotels in San Juan. These included the Hotel Palacio Provincial and Hotel El Convento, locations that ooze luxury and comfort. On the day she attended a Bad Bunny concert—a concert that also drew A-listers like LeBron James and Penelope Cruz—her campaign spent over $23,000 on venue rentals at the Coliseo De Puerto Rico. This was more than simply a campaign trip; it became a lavish escape.
Ocasio-Cortez’s expenditures on dining highlight a taste for the finer things. Her campaign spent more than $10,000 on meals in Puerto Rico, visiting high-end restaurants like Cocina Abierta and Verde Mesa. The contrast between the campaign’s spending and her branding as a champion for the working class is glaring.
Campaign manager Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben defended the spending, stating that Ocasio-Cortez regularly travels to Puerto Rico to support local causes. He emphasized her commitment to grassroots organizing and advocacy for Puerto Ricans, both on the island and in the diaspora. However, these explanations do little to diminish the optics of a political figure who often positions herself as a voice for the disenfranchised indulging in luxury.
This spending spree was not confined to Puerto Rico. When examining the third-quarter filings, it becomes clear that Ocasio-Cortez’s opulent lifestyle extends beyond the island. Her campaign made significant expenditures in swanky hotels and eateries across the United States. A stay at the Hotel Vermont in Burlington set her back nearly $5,000, while a night in a luxury boutique hotel near Central Park cost close to $2,000.
Moreover, her campaign’s tab for dining reached staggering heights. A single meal in Washington, D.C., claimed a $6,300 bill at a fancy restaurant, and other dining expenses amassed over $7,000. This includes meals from an array of upscale locations, which directly contradicts the image she seeks to project as fighting against economic disparity.
The juxtaposition of altruistic rhetoric and extravagant campaign spending continues to cast doubt on Ocasio-Cortez’s authenticity. While she passionately advocates for the underserved, mounting evidence suggests a significant gap between message and lifestyle. The focus of her campaign is intended to resonate with working-class Americans, yet her financial choices raise important questions about who she truly represents. This spending behavior could become a persistent narrative as her re-election campaign unfolds, challenging her ability to connect with constituents on the issues that matter most.
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