AOC accused of using Thanksgiving turkey drive for campaign fundraising: 'Typical bait and switch'

THE BRONX, NEW YORK: Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez kick-started her Thanksgiving tradition on Friday, November 22, 2025.

The Democratic representative, known for giving away turkeys to the less privileged every year, sent out an email last week. However, the email requesting donations directed people to a campaign fundraising page hosted by ActBlue.

AOC faces backlash as Thanksgiving donation link redirects to ActBlue fundraiser

AOC’s team sent out an email pitch earlier this week, urging people to donate to families aiming to raise money to purchase turkeys for Thanksgiving.

The email stated that in 2024 she was able to give out 600 turkeys and hoped to double the number in 2025. It also noted that AOC was teaming up with several organizations in New York City, including public housing departments, community organizations, and houses of worship, to help “hundreds of families” celebrate the sense of community, mutual aim, and gratitude.

The email asked whether people could “chip in $15” or donate any amount to support families in need. However, those who clicked on the contribution link were redirected to a fundraising page handled by ActBlue. Upon selecting how much they wanted to donate, a disclaimer stated that the money was paid to AOC for Congress.

AOC under fire as council members accuse her of 'bait and switch'

Former City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli criticized AOC’s donations email, noting that a campaign was not supposed to be “a pass-through for charitable work.” He questioned what would happen if she raised enough money to buy 1 million turkeys.

“Would she buy a million turkeys, or would she keep $990,000 for her campaign and then throw the rest of the turkeys out the back of a truck and take a photo-op?” he added.

City Councilman Robert Holden, who previously participated in a similar Thanksgiving tradition, also objected to AOC’s approach. He accused “socialists like AOC and Zohran Mamdani” of promising things for “free” but “shaking down” working people under the garb of “community goodwill.”

He called it “a typical bait and switch” and said that AOC was pretending to “be for the people” while trying to steal from them.

AOC celebrates fundraising success

AOC posted several Instagram Stories on Saturday, November 23, 2025, as she went around the Bronx as part of her Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. In one of the stories, she said that with the help of people’s contributions, her team was able to support a large number of families.

“We have been able to provide 16,00 turkeys,” she added.

AOC also said that the fundraiser raised $20,000 above its initial goal. She explained that the money was being given to local food pantries to help feed families on Thanksgiving. Along with the donations, she noted that many people volunteered and called the community’s efforts “incredible.” She added that local community volunteers were transporting turkeys across the Bronx.