Could Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) Become US President in 2028? By Chris Knight (Florida)

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, commonly known as AOC, is a polarising yet influential figure in American politics, representing New York's 14th Congressional District since 2018. At 35 years old in 2025, she meets the constitutional age requirement to run for president in 2028 (Article II, Section 1 requires candidates to be at least 35 at inauguration). Speculation about her potential candidacy has grown, fuelled by her grassroots appeal, social media prowess, and alignment with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. However, several factors will determine her viability, and her path to the presidency faces significant hurdles.

AOC has a massive online presence, with over 8 million Instagram followers and 1 million on TikTok, giving her a direct line to younger voters and low-information audiences. Vanity Fair notes her "gift for social media" and ability to generate polarizing reactions, a valuable asset in a fragmented media landscape.

Her "Fighting Oligarchy" tour with Bernie Sanders in 2025, drawing crowds of 30,000–36,000 in cities like Los Angeles and Denver, showcases her ability to mobilize large audiences. Newsweek highlights her "broad appeal across the Democratic Party," with a Yale poll showing a +60 net favourability rating among Democrats.

AOC is seen as the natural successor to Sanders' left-wing movement, advocating for policies like the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and wealth taxes. The New York Times reports that progressives view her as the "clear leader" for a post-Sanders era, especially as Democrats seek a response to Trump's populism.

Her focus on economic issues, such as railing against billionaire influence, resonates with working-class voters disillusioned by establishment Democrats. Slate argues she has "the Sauce"—authenticity and outsider credibility—that could counter Trump's appeal. The 2028 Democratic primary will be wide open, with no incumbent president or clear frontrunner. Donald Trump, barred by the 22nd Amendment from running again, leaves both parties scrambling. Politico notes this is the first truly open primary since 2008, giving AOC a chance to stand out.

Polls, like a March 2025 CNN survey, show AOC at 10% among Democrats for embodying party values, slightly ahead of Kamala Harris at 9%. Katie Couric Media cites her as a top contender alongside Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Gavin Newsom. AOC's youth, Latina identity, and working-class background (despite criticisms of her Westchester upbringing) appeal to diverse and younger demographics. The Hill quotes strategists praising her ability to "cut through the noise" and avoid Washington-speak.

Her ability to handle hostile media, as seen in viral exchanges on social platforms, positions her as a formidable debater, a skill Vanity Fair compares to Trump's media dominance. AOC's progressive stances, labelled socialist by critics, make her a lightning rod for Republican attacks. The Washington Examiner quotes Democratic strategist Doug Schoen calling her 2028 run a "disaster" for the party, arguing she's too far left on cultural and fiscal issues.

A Morning Consult poll from March 2025 shows her with only 5% support in a hypothetical 2028 primary, trailing Harris (36%) and Buttigieg (10%). Her polarizing reputation could alienate moderate Democrats and independents.

As a House member, AOC lacks the executive or statewide experience typically expected of presidential candidates. The National Interest notes that viable candidates rarely emerge from the House, citing Gerald Ford's anomalous path.

Critics, including UnHerd, argue she must moderate her positions on issues like immigration and gender to appeal beyond her deep-blue district. Her past flip-flops, such as voting for Israel aid after criticizing it, have drawn accusations of inauthenticity. The Democratic establishment, wary of Sanders' near-nominations in 2016 and 2020, may rally against AOC. The Daily Mail cites left-wing pundits like Bhaskar Sunkara, who argue a labor leader with broader appeal would fare better. Some argue AOC faces misogyny and cultural biases, particularly among Hispanic voters. Hispanic communities, a growing demographic, may resist a young, unmarried modrnist woman as a leader, favouring traditional matriarchal figures.

AOC's path to the 2028 Democratic nomination is plausible but challenging. Her strengths—charisma, youth, and progressive fervor—position her as a top contender in a crowded Leftist field, especially if she capitalises on anti-establishment sentiment post-Trump. Polls like the Economist/YouGov survey (38% of Democrats would consider her) and her crowd-drawing power suggest she could dominate early primaries like Iowa or New Hampshire. However, her general election prospects are dicier. The U.S. electorate, as seen in 2024's rejection of Harris, leans toward populist or centrist candidates in swing states. AOC's socialism label and urban base could cost her in the Electoral College against a Republican like JD Vance, who polled 61% in the 2025 CPAC straw poll.

Nate Silver and Galen Druke's prediction that she's the "most likely" Democratic nominee is notable but tempered by their caveat that her support could splinter in a crowded field. Historical precedent favors experienced executives (e.g., governors like Gavin Newsom or Josh Shapiro) over House members. Her best shot hinges on a fractured primary, a weak Republican nominee, and a cultural shift toward progressive populism by 2028.

Would America Collapse Under an AOC Presidency? Yes!

Theclaim that an AOC presidency would lead to America's "collapse" stems from conservative critiques of her progressive policies, amplified by figures like Monica Crowley, who warned Republicans not to underestimate her.

AOC's signature policy calls for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, massive infrastructure investment, and universal job guarantees. The American Action Forum estimated its cost at $50–90 trillion over a decade, though AOC disputes this, arguing it's an investment, not a loss. Critics, like those on Watts Up With That, dismiss it as economically ruinous, citing Australia's renewable energy struggles (e.g., blackouts in Victoria, 2024).

High costs could strain federal budgets, especially if funded by deficit spending. Australia's renewable transition, costing $320 billion by 2030 per AEMO, suggests supply chain issues and grid instability. However, proponents argue it could create millions of jobs (e.g., 20 million per a 2019 study) and avert climate costs ($3.3 trillion by 2050, per NOAA), all delusions of course.

Congress and the Federal Reserve would likely temper implementation, as seen with Biden's scaled-down Build Back Better plan. AOC's lack of executive experience could limit her ability to push such an ambitious agenda.

AOC supports single-payer healthcare, estimated at $32 trillion over a decade by the Mercatus Center. Critics on X,brand it socialist and predict fiscal collapse, pointing to Canada's wait times (25 weeks for non-emergency surgery, 2023 Fraser Institute).

Tax increases or reallocation from defense budgets (U.S. spent $877 billion on defense in 2022) could disrupt markets or public services. Public support, at 53% per Gallup 2024, is mixed, risking political backlash.

Incremental reforms, like expanding Medicare eligibility, are more likely than a full overhaul, given Senate filibuster rules and centrist Democratic resistance.

AOC's proposed 70% marginal tax on incomes over $10 million and a wealth tax (2–3% on billionaires) aim to reduce inequality. The Tax Foundation estimates a wealth tax could raise $1 trillion over a decade but warns of capital flight, as seen in France's 2012 wealth tax (42,000 wealthy emigrants by 2017). In short AOC will destroy American businesses.

Business investment would decline, slowing GDP growth (U.S. GDP growth was 2.5% in 2024). Critics argue this could mirror Venezuela's economic collapse (GDP contracted 66% from 2013–2021), and maybe worse.

Courts could strike down a wealth tax (Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co., 1895, limits direct taxes), and global coordination would be needed to prevent tax havens.

AOC's advocacy for immigration reform (e.g., decriminalising border crossings) and social justice aligns with the "climate wokeness" critiqued in other Alor.org blog articles today. Opponents, like The Daily Sceptic, fear this could exacerbate cultural divides, pointing to Australia's social tensions from high migration (518,000 net migrants, 2022-23). The Great White Replacement will be completed by the Latina AOC.

Policies perceived as "woke" could alienate working-class voters, as seen in Labor's Australian struggles. Urban-rural divides could worsen, fuelling unrest like the January 6, 2021, Capitol peaceful protests. In short AOC will make Biden and Harris look like MAGA she is so extreme Left. Civil war 2.0 would be likely if even half of her communist policies are implemented.

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/04/president_aoc_yes_it_s_a_real_possibility.html