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 Explosive Takeaways

1. AOC accuses TikTok of collaborating with Trump administration prematurely
2. Congresswoman refers to Trump as a "rapist" in explanation for skipping inauguration
3. Ocasio-Cortez warns followers of an "authoritarian administration" on the horizon

By Samuel A. Lopez - USA Herald

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) launched a series of fiery Instagram posts on the day before Donald Trump's inauguration, sparking controversy and raising questions about the limits of political speech.

The outspoken congresswoman made several bold statements, including her refusal to attend the inauguration and her characterization of the incoming administration.

An emotional AOC began her day on social media by scolding TikTok for a notification that thanked "President Trump" for restoring the app. She pointed out that Trump was still a private citizen and questioned the app's credibility for referring to him as "President" before his inauguration.

"First of all, Donald Trump is not president right now. He is a private citizen. He does not have access to presidential powers, he does not have the ability to do any of that," AOC said in her Instagram stories. She suggested that TikTok's notification signaled a private collaboration with Trump and his administration.

"And for all of those concerns that people were saying that TikTok is going to be used as a propaganda tool by the Chinese, understand they’re using it as a propaganda tool for the right," she added. AOC warned her followers, "We are on the eve of an authoritarian administration. This is what 21st century fascism is starting to look like."

Later in the evening, AOC expressed her frustration with being asked if she would attend Trump's inauguration. "All these journalists were like congresswoman, are you going to the inauguration? Congresswoman are you going to the inauguration? Are you going to the inauguration? Let me make myself clear. I don't celebrate rapists, so no, I'm not going to the inauguration room," she stated matter-of-factly.

AOC's remarks sparked controversy, especially after the Libs of TikTok account reposted her comments and suggested that Trump should sue her for calling him a rapist. AOC responded on X, "Oh, are you triggered? Cry more."

What AOC failed to realize is that her response to Libs of TikTok, could be the evidence needed to prove actual malice, an essential element to prove in a defamation and libel lawsuit. See New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964)

In May 2023, a New York jury found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming columnist E. Jean Carroll. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. The case revolved around allegations that Trump sexually abused Carroll in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump has vehemently denied the allegations and is appealing the verdict.

(Note: President Trump has never been charged or convicted of rape.)

Defamation is a false statement presented as a fact that causes injury to someone's reputation. Libel is a form of defamation that involves written or published false statements. To succeed in a defamation lawsuit, the plaintiff must generally prove the following: