Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) found herself at the center of controversy after being seen exiting a luxury private jet on Earth Day, an event that symbolizes commitment to environmental sustainability. The incident occurred amidst her ongoing "Fight the Oligarchy" tour, which promotes policies such as Medicare for All and higher taxes on the wealthy, and aligns with her well-established environmental advocacy platform.
The footage of Ocasio-Cortez's disembarkation from the private aircraft, which is estimated to cost around $15,000 per hour to charter, swiftly circulated, leading to accusations of hypocrisy. This criticism stems from her outspoken condemnation of the carbon footprint associated with private air travel, particularly by affluent individuals.
The timing of this event—on Earth Day, April 22—could not have been more ironic for the congresswoman, whose political career has been laced with advocacy for environmental protection. Indeed, her previous remarks on the subject have been unequivocal. Trending Politics recalls that in 2023, Ocasio-Cortez criticized CEOs for their use of private jets, calling such actions "insatiable" and "unacceptable."
Despite the popularity of her tour, which has drawn tens of thousands of attendees in cities like Los Angeles and Denver, Ocasio-Cortez's personal travel choices have provided fodder for opponents who question the congruence between her public messaging and private actions. This is not the first instance of such scrutiny; in February 2022, she faced similar criticism for flying first class from Austin to New York City.
Moreover, a March investigation into her office expenses, triggered by findings from Paul A. Syzpula's review of her expenditure records, raised eyebrows regarding the use of taxpayer funds. Allegations include her office employing 22 staff members at a near half-million-dollar cost and questionable spending on training and dining.
The congresswoman's actions have brought her into the same spotlight as other Democratic representatives like Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA), who have also been criticized for their spending habits. A tweet by Daniel Turner (@DanielTurnerPTF) on April 22, 2025, highlighted the perceived discrepancy between public stances on environmental issues and personal lifestyle choices.
