Has Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the self-proclaimed socialist from Queens, turned her back on the far-left crowd that once cheered her every move?
Criticism is now mounting from Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members against AOC for endorsing moderate Democrats in the upcoming midterms. The controversy centers on her support for Rep. Julie Johnson in a heated primary race for Dallas’s redrawn 33rd district, as well as her backing of Mary Peltola for U.S. Senate in Alaska just weeks prior. DSA members are questioning whether AOC’s recent moves signal a shift away from their ideological principles.
The issue has sparked heated debate among the socialist faithful, who see AOC’s actions as a betrayal of their cause. Her endorsement of Johnson, posted in a social media video on January 23, has particularly riled up the DSA base.
“We can’t let the GOP gerrymander one of our strongest fighters out of Congress,” AOC declared in the video, praising Johnson’s opposition to what she called ICE overreach and MAGA extremism, the New York Post reported. Her words might sound noble to some, but they’ve fallen flat with those who expected her to champion their unyielding agenda.
Let’s be clear: AOC endorsing a politician like Johnson, who voted for $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel earlier this month, doesn’t sit right with a crowd that’s pushed hardline anti-Zionist resolutions. The DSA’s national chapter even yanked their endorsement of AOC back in 2024 over her support for a resolution affirming Israel’s right to exist, though her local NYC chapter still backs her. This latest move has some whispering about outright expulsion.
DSA frustration isn’t just about policy—it’s personal. One member vented on a party discussion board, calling out AOC’s trajectory with biting words.
“I think it is obvious that AOC is a career opportunist,” the DSA member posted, pointing to her support for President Biden long past his viability and her justifications for aid to Israel. That’s a damning critique from a group that once saw her as their shining star.
And it’s not just Johnson’s Israel vote that’s raising eyebrows. Her active trading in stock tied to Palantir—a company linked to Trump-era immigration enforcement—has drawn sharp rebukes from the same socialists now questioning AOC’s judgment. If you’re trying to burnish your anti-establishment creds, this isn’t the way to do it.
AOC’s second moderate endorsement in just 10 days, following her support for the pro-gun, pro-drilling Peltola in Alaska, suggests a pattern to many on the left. Some DSA attendees speculate she’s cozying up to the Democratic Party machine, perhaps eyeing bigger prizes like a Senate seat or even the presidency. That kind of ambition doesn’t jive with the purity tests of the far-left crowd.
Political scientist Lonna Atkeson from Florida State University sees it as a calculated pivot. She argues AOC is prioritizing winnable candidates over ideological loyalty, a move reminiscent of establishment figures like Nancy Pelosi. It’s a pragmatic play, but one that risks alienating her original base.
Meanwhile, Johnson’s primary battle against former Rep. Colin Allred, who previously held the neighboring 32nd district for six years, is no cakewalk. Polls show Allred leading by over 20 points ahead of the March 3 contest. AOC’s backing might be a Hail Mary, but it’s not looking like a game-changer.
For conservatives watching this unfold, it’s a popcorn-worthy spectacle of the left eating its own. AOC’s apparent shift toward the middle exposes the fault lines in a movement that often demands absolute conformity. If she’s building goodwill with party insiders, as her critics claim, she might be playing a longer game—one that could backfire with her grassroots supporters.
Here’s the kicker: while the DSA fumes, everyday Americans might see this as a rare moment of sanity from AOC, stepping away from the radical fringe. But don’t hold your breath—her endorsements still prop up Democrats who push policies far from the common-sense values many hold dear. It’s less a transformation and more a reshuffling of the same tired deck.
Johnson’s race in the 33rd district will be a litmus test. If AOC’s support can’t close the gap against Allred, her influence might take a hit, even among moderates she’s courting. For now, the socialist wing’s grumbling is just noise—but it’s loud enough to make you wonder if her “Squad” cred is on borrowed time.
