Ocasio-Cortez Accused of Defamation over Trump 'Rapist' Comment

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) faced criticism from Trump supporters and some Republicans after she posted on social media that electing a "rapist" had complicated the release of the Epstein files. The comment was made in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Department of Justice's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Critics argued that Ocasio-Cortez was referencing the 2023 civil trial where Trump was found liable of sexual assault, but not of rape. Ocasio-Cortez's comment sparked a wave of responses from Trump supporters and some Republicans, who accused her of defamation and suggested that she should be sued.

Key Takeaways:

• Ocasio-Cortez posted on social media that electing a "rapist" had complicated the release of the Epstein files, referencing the 2023 civil trial where Trump was found liable of sexual assault, but not of rape.
• Critics argued that Ocasio-Cortez's comment was defamatory and could lead to a defamation lawsuit, pointing out that Trump has not been convicted of rape.
• Trump supporters and some Republicans, including Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Bill Mitchell, host of YourVoice America, accused Ocasio-Cortez of defamation and suggested that she should be sued.
• ABC News was forced to pay $15 million to Trump after anchor George Stephanopoulos made similar comments about Trump's alleged rape in a 2024 interview, which was widely criticized.
• Ocasio-Cortez's comment was defended by some social media users, who argued that she did not use Trump's name in her post and that a defamation case was unlikely.

Statistics:

• In 2023, Trump was found liable of sexual assault in the E. Jean Carroll civil trial.
• ABC News paid $15 million to Trump in 2024 after anchor George Stephanopoulos made comments about Trump's alleged rape.
• The Trump Department of Justice said there is no list of Epstein clients.
• Trump supporters and legal experts accused Ocasio-Cortez of defamation.
• Ocasio-Cortez has traded barbs with Trump repeatedly across both of their political careers.

Sources:

• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), "Wow who would have thought that electing a rapist would have complicated the release of the Epstein Files?" X post, 2025.
• Phil Holloway, "The President should sue AOC into bankruptcy...You've managed to incur defamation liability Wow," X post, 2025.
• Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), "Why didn't you guys release the Epstein files over the last 4 years? Maybe you were too busy covering for Joe Biden...or, could it have something to do with another former Democrat President?" X post, 2025.
• Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, "Well we have grounds for a huge defamation suit here you idiot because Donald Trump has never been indicted for rape much less convicted," X post, 2025.
• Laura Loomer, "This is gonna be fun. AOC is so dumb she just called Trump a rapist - after ABC was forced to fork over $16 million in a settlement with Trump after George Stephanopoulos called him a rapist," X post, 2025.
• Rachel Alexander, "This is gonna be fun. AOC is so dumb she just called Trump a rapist - after ABC was forced to fork over $16 million in a settlement with Trump after George Stephanopoulos called him a rapist," X post, 2025.
• ABC News, "Editor's Note: ABC News and George Stephanopoulos regret statements regarding President Donald J. Trump made during an interview by George Stephanopoulos with Rep. Nancy Mace on ABC's This Week on March 10, 2024."