Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sparks ridicule as she debuts bizarre accent during DNC speech

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's appearance at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) has sparked a social media frenzy, with critics taking aim at her unexpected accent shift.

Speaking in Chicago on Monday night, August 19, the 'Squad' member delivered a fiery seven-minute address that received enthusiastic applause - but not without controversy.

AOC's accent shift during DNC speech under scrutiny  

During her speech, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez compared Donald Trump to Kamala Harris and seemed to adopt a markedly different accent while declaring, "I, for one, am tired of hearing about how a two-bit union buster thinks of himself as more of a patriot than the woman who fights every single day to lift working people from under the boots of greed, trampling on our way of life."

Her elongation "on our way of life" stood out to many, as AOC delivered it with a noticeably different accent and rhythm.

The New York Democrat has faced similar accusations in the past. In 2023, Ocasio-Cortez was criticized for slipping into a Southern drawl during a speech to Al Sharpton's civil rights organization. Critics have also used old footage to brand her as a “total fraud,” juxtaposing it with recent clips of her denouncing Trump without noticeable accent changes, according to the Daily Mail.

Defending herself on Twitter, Ocasio-Cortez argued, “Folks talking about my voice can step right off. Any kid who grew up in a distinct linguistic culture & had to learn to navigate class environments at school/work knows what's up. My Spanish is the same way."

She added, “As much as the right wants to distort & deflect, I am from the Bronx. I act & talk like it, especially when I'm fired up and especially when I'm home. It is so hurtful to see how every aspect of my life is weaponized against me, yet somehow asserted as false at the same time."

AOC claims Donald Trump would sell the country for 'a dollar'

However, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents parts of the Bronx and Queens, nearly brought down the house at the partisan United Center, declaring she would be "happy" to return to bartending while branding Donald Trump a "two-bit union buster" willing to sell the country out for "a dollar."

"Republicans have attacked me by saying that I should go back to bartending," the 'Squad' member stated during her primetime address at the Democratic National Convention (DNC).

"Let me tell you, I'm happy to any day of the week because there is nothing wrong with working for a living," she said, prompting the crowd to erupt in cheers.

Ocasio-Cortez continued, "Donald Trump would sell this country for $1 if it meant lining his own pockets and greasing the palms of his Wall Street friends." The enthusiastic crowd chanted 'AOC' throughout her primetime speech on the first night of the DNC, just before President Joe Biden took the stage.

Where is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lived in the Bronx until she was five years old, at which point her family bought a house in Yorktown Heights, upstate Westchester County. She moved back to the Bronx after graduating from Boston University in 2011.

Upon her surprising rise to Congress, it was revealed that much of her youth was spent in the affluent Westchester County, which seemed at odds with her campaign narrative emphasizing her Bronx roots. Her family had moved from their Parkchester condo to the suburban home for better educational opportunities, selling the latter after her father died from cancer in 2008, but keeping the Bronx condo.

AOC’s DNC speech sparks backlash

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s recent speech at the Democratic National Convention has stirred up a whirlwind of reactions.

"Where’s the accent from?" tweeted a user.

"Man, crazy just doesn't cover it with this one," another said.

"What the hell is up with the hand gestures?" one added.

"Man! Her voice is so screechy!" someone else stated.

"idk what accent that is but it’s not black. that’s not - no, don’t do that," read a tweet.

"Nails On A Chalkboard!" penned a user.

"I had to turn it off. She reminded me a cheerleader trying to be prom queen," added another.

"Now AOC is claiming she is black? The pandering party," chimed a user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.