In a post over the weekend on X, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) claimed that a recent rally in Puerto Rico was a significant political event, calling it the “second largest political rally this ENTIRE cycle” after a speech by Kamala Harris.

Aug 19, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

Ocasio-Cortez credited the event as a show of strong support for the anti-Trump, anti-corruption Alianza movement and Puerto Rican politician Juan Dalmau, describing it as a “political earthquake” that underscored anti-Trump sentiment among Puerto Ricans.

However, X community fact-checkers quickly responded, clarifying that Ocasio-Cortez’s portrayal of the event was inaccurate.

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According to the fact-check, the gathering in question was not connected to U.S. politics, nor did it focus on an anti-Trump message.

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Instead, the event was the Festival de la Esperanza, an annual gathering organized by Puerto Rico’s Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (MVC) and Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP), two groups focused on Puerto Rican independence and local governance.

Fact-checkers pointed out that the festival, held ahead of Puerto Rico’s local elections, was intended to highlight issues of Puerto Rican self-determination, anti-colonialism, and local political matters, not U.S. partisan politics.

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Video footage linked in the fact-check showed that the event’s agenda focused on Puerto Rican autonomy and local governance rather than any specific stance on U.S. figures or policies.

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The fact-check sparked backlash against Ocasio-Cortez’s post, with critics arguing that her framing of the event was misleading.

Many pointed out that her comments risked misrepresenting the purpose of the Festival de la Esperanza, which has traditionally centered around Puerto Rican issues rather than U.S. political debates.

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Critics asserted that her post inaccurately implied broad opposition to former President Donald Trump in Puerto Rico based on an event with a different focus.

Ocasio-Cortez has not addressed the fact-check directly, but her original post remains up on the platform without corrections or updates.

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