AOC Doubles Down Against Trump With Eyes on 2028

AOC and Bernie Sanders rally a record crowd in Denver while preparing their radical agenda for undermining President Trump’s America-first policies.

At a Glance

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined Bernie Sanders on their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, drawing what Sanders called his largest rally ever
• AOC is attempting to redefine the Democratic Party’s identity by claiming Republicans “trick” Americans with identity politics — while her party doubled down on those very tactics during the last election
• Despite Trump’s decisive victory and executive actions eliminating DEI programs, AOC continues pushing for socialist policies targeting successful Americans
• AOC criticized Senate Democrats for not fighting harder against Republican-led spending bills, showing the growing radical faction within her party
• Sanders acknowledged he won’t run for president again but praised “dozens of strong progressives” who will be future leaders — potentially positioning AOC for 2028

AOC’s Denver Rally Shows Growing Radical Wing of Democratic Party

While President Trump works tirelessly to implement America First policies, the far left continues organizing against the will of American voters. Last weekend, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) joined Bernie Sanders for what was described as his largest rally ever in Denver as part of their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. The gathering criticized successful American business leaders like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg — the very entrepreneurs creating American jobs and innovations. The socialist duo also couldn’t resist attacking President Trump himself, despite his clear mandate from the American people in the recent election.

In a clear attempt to reframe her party’s crushing defeat, AOC sought to portray Democrats as the true fighters for working Americans — despite their policies that have crushed family budgets through record inflation. The progressive firebrand is working overtime to redefine Democratic identity beyond her usual radical base, now that voters have rejected their far-left agenda. AOC’s efforts to broaden her appeal come as political analysts widely recognize identity politics as a major factor in Democrats’ recent electoral failures.

The Left’s Hypocrisy on Identity Politics

In perhaps the most stunning display of hypocrisy at the Denver rally, AOC told attendees not to let Republicans “trick” Americans into thinking they “can be separated” by race, despite her party’s years-long obsession with dividing Americans by race, gender, and every other possible identity category. “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.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

This stunning reversal comes only after President Trump decisively won the election while running against the identity politics that Democrats have championed. Trump has already implemented executive orders eliminating harmful DEI initiatives across the government.

“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.” Donald Trump

AOC’s Plans for Democratic Resistance

Rather than accept the will of American voters, AOC is already organizing resistance to the Trump administration’s popular agenda. In a discussion on Instagram following the election, she criticized Democratic infighting while simultaneously encouraging her followers to join radical organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America. She’s particularly alarmed by Trump’s policies on illegal immigration and tariffs that protect American workers, demonstrating just how out of touch she remains with everyday Americans struggling under the weight of unchecked illegal immigration.

“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.” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

During the Denver rally, AOC made it clear she wants “a Democratic Party that fights harder for us” while criticizing Senate Democrats who allowed a Republican-led spending bill to advance. Her call for more aggressive opposition to Republican policies received enthusiastic applause from the crowd, revealing the radical direction she hopes to push her party despite their electoral rejection. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders, who confirmed he won’t run for president again, praised the next generation of progressive leaders, potentially signaling AOC as his heir apparent for 2028.

“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” Bernie Sanders

The Future of Democratic Leadership

The rally highlighted the growing divide within the Democratic Party between moderates who recognize the need to work with the Trump administration and radicals like AOC who seek continued resistance and obstruction. While some Democrats acknowledge their excessive focus on identity politics contributed to their defeat, AOC seems determined to double down on the same failed socialist policies that voters rejected. Her vision for the party’s future appears to be more government control, higher taxes, and continued attacks on successful American businesses.

As President Trump continues implementing his America First agenda with popular executive orders eliminating wasteful DEI programs, securing the border, and reducing regulations, AOC’s resistance movement risks further alienating the working-class voters her party has already lost. The Denver rally made it clear that despite their electoral defeat, the radical wing of the Democratic Party remains determined to push socialism, open borders, and identity politics — the very policies American voters just soundly rejected at the ballot box.