Ocasio-Cortez releases presidential-like video

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) released what resembled a presidential campaign video over social media Friday, further raising speculation over her future political ambitions.

“Idaho, I am so touched being here. I'm a girl from the Bronx. To be welcomed here in this state, all of us together, seeing our common cause — this is what this country is all about,” Ocasio-Cortez can be heard saying in the video shared on X, which is a clip of her remarks she made when she and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) visited Nampa, Idaho, earlier this month.

Ocasio-Cortez, who worked as a waitress before she came to Congress, also touted her working-class background during the rally.

“Idaho, I know that looking around here, it can feel impossible for Republicans out here to be defeated. That's not true. It's simply not true,” she said during the rally. “And from the waitress who is now speaking to you today from this podium, I can tell you impossible is nothing.”

While the end of the video notes her congressional campaign “Democrat for Congress NY-14,” the video’s footage of her taking pictures and shaking hands with rallygoers and her hopeful message looked and sounded more like a video a politician might launch if they were considering running for president.

Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders have been holding rallies in predominantly Western states in recent weeks, including in Republican-held districts, in their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. The rallies have amassed tens of thousands of attendees, according to Sanders’s team — underscoring enthusiasm within the Democratic grassroots.

Both populist progressives have also reported high fundraising hauls this past quarter. Though the 83-year-old Sanders has signaled he’s not likely to run for another term in the Senate, the recent moves have raised questions over the New York Democrat’s political future.