In a post on X over the weekend, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) celebrated what she claimed was a massive political rally in Puerto Rico, crediting it as the “second largest political rally this ENTIRE cycle” after a speech by Vice President Kamala Harris.
According to Ocasio-Cortez, the rally gathered over 50,000 Puerto Ricans in support of the anti-Trump, anti-corruption Alianza movement and Puerto Rican politician Juan Dalmau. She called it a “political earthquake,” implying a strong anti-Trump sentiment among Puerto Ricans.
However, X community fact-checkers quickly pointed out a significant detail Ocasio-Cortez missed: the gathering she referenced was actually the Festival de la Esperanza, a local event organized by the anti-colonial Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC) and Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP).
Fact-checkers clarified that this event was part of the run-up to Puerto Rico’s upcoming local elections, not a rally linked to any U.S. political party.
Eyes on Puerto Rico:
Tonight Puerto Ricans amassed the second largest political rally this ENTIRE cycle – behind only Harris’ 75k-person Ellipse speech.
Over 50,000 Boricuas rallying for the anti-Trump, anti-corruption Alianza movement & @juandalmauPR.
Political earthquake. pic.twitter.com/Ctzft9Db48
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 4, 2024
The gathering had nothing to do with U.S. political affiliations, including any anti-Trump stance. Video footage linked in the fact-check showed the crowd gathering at the festival and the rally’s focus on Puerto Rican self-determination and local issues rather than U.S. partisan politics.
Ocasio-Cortez’s claim drew backlash with many who argued that the misleading framing of the event undermined her credibility once again.
REACTIONS:
Remember when Donald Trump talked about the corruption in Puerto Rico years ago and you all called him a racist, then took the presidency and did absolutely nothing for them for 4 years, then a comedian made a joke that you somehow knew about in advance and used the Puerto Rican…
— Apple Lamps (@lamps_apple) November 4, 2024
Oh my effing word, you are not only stupid, but a pathological liar!
The most well-deserved community note on earth. Period. pic.twitter.com/fCXbnECGrD
— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) November 4, 2024
Sure lol
— aka (@akafacehots) November 4, 2024
This event had nothing to do with Trump or Kamala, you’re just using the island for your own political goals in typical Washington colonial fashion.
— COMBATE | (@upholdreality) November 4, 2024
Trump had over 100k in Butler PA
But nice try
— Drew Hernandez (@DrewHLive) November 4, 2024
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