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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has drawn heavy criticism after labeling President Donald Trump a “rapist” in a recent post on social media, a statement many argued may cross the legal threshold into defamation. The controversy emerged following a Justice Department announcement confirming that no additional files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein would be released. In response, Ocasio-Cortez took to X and issued a post implying that the election of President Trump had complicated matters, referring to him with a term not supported by any court ruling.
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While a civil jury did find Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in the 2023 case involving E. Jean Carroll, it did not find him liable for rape, a legal distinction that the congresswoman’s post failed to acknowledge. That omission has prompted widespread backlash online, including calls from prominent figures for Trump to initiate legal proceedings against her.
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Many noted striking similarities to an earlier defamation case between President Trump and ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. In that case, Stephanopoulos had been taken to court for falsely stating that Trump had been convicted of rape. The dispute was ultimately settled when ABC and Stephanopoulos agreed to provide $15 million to Trump’s presidential library foundation and cover $1 million in legal costs. A public apology from the network followed the resolution.
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Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks drew swift backlash from conservative commentators and legal analysts alike. Several suggested her statement could potentially exceed the broad protections established under the Supreme Court’s NY Times Sullivan decision, raising concerns that her words may border on defamation eventually.
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The latest post has fueled speculation about whether Trump’s legal team would pursue a similar strategy to the one used in the ABC settlement. While no confirmation has been issued, speculation intensified after statements from legal analysts and political commentators suggested the congresswoman’s actions may warrant legal recourse.
The situation has further ignited debate around the repeated targeting of President Trump by left-leaning politicians and media figures, many of whom continue to push unfounded or exaggerated claims. Within conservative circles, the incident was seen not only as a defamation issue but also as another example of what has been described as Trump Derangement Syndrome—a term frequently applied to elected Democrats perceived as being obsessed with attacking the former president at every opportunity.
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Video from a previous altercation between Stephanopoulos and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), in which the anchor made the same debunked rape accusation, also surfaced in the debate. Sexual assault survivor Mace vehemently opposed to the question, claiming the host was utilizing her experience for political ends.
The escalating rhetoric surrounding President Trump continues to prompt concern over the state of political discourse. Calls are increasing for greater accountability when elected officials make inflammatory statements that fail to align with legal findings.
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