AOC rejects Jesse Watters' Fox News invite claiming he 'sexually harassed' her on air
WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez isn’t heading to Fox News anytime soon, at least not to sit across from Jesse Watters.
The New York Democrat flatly refused an invitation to appear on Jesse Watters Primetime, saying the Fox News host “has sexually harassed me” on air.
The exchange took place on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, when a man identified as Jesse Watters Primetime producer Johnny Belisario approached Ocasio-Cortez and floated the invite. The interaction was caught on video by journalist Pablo Manríquez.
“Jesse Watters would like to invite you on his show,” Belisario said, before asking, “Would you join him?”
Ocasio-Cortez responded, “He has sexualized me on his show. He has sexually harassed me on his show. He has engaged in horrific, sexually exploitive rhetoric."
Belisario pushed back, “That’s not true congresswoman.”
“It is true because he accused me…of wanting to quote, unquote, sleep with Stephen Miller. So why don’t you tell me what you think is acceptable to tell a woman? Thank you,” Ocasio-Cortez said, before storming off.
Fox Producer: Jesse Watters would like to invite you on his show
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 7, 2026
AOC: He has sexualized and harassed me on his show.
FP: That’s not true
AOC: He accused me of wanting to sleep with Stephen Miller. So why don’t you tell me what you think is acceptable to tell a woman. pic.twitter.com/MaPwsYQWy3
The comment that started it all
Ocasio-Cortez was referring to remarks Watters made back in October on 'The Five', a Fox News program he co-hosts.
“I think AOC wants to sleep with Miller,” Watters said at the time.
“It is so obvious. And, I’m sorry, you can’t have him,” he added, referring to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who is married to former Trump official Katie Miller.
The Five’s Jesse Watters: “I think AOC wants to sleep with [Stephen] Miller… I’m sorry you can’t have him. Miller is the best. I know him well socially. The man is not overcompensating… He is a policy savant. I mean, this guy is confident. He battles CNN with grace and with… pic.twitter.com/ItWETbALok
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) October 7, 2025
Those comments followed Ocasio-Cortez’s own criticism of Miller, which included mocking what she described as the 'insecure masculinity' of MAGA men.
She also went after Miller’s appearance during an Instagram livestream.
“I’ve never seen that guy in real life, but he looks like he’s, like, 4 feet 10 inches. And he looks like he is angry about the fact that he’s 4 feet 10 inches,” the congresswoman said.
NEW: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says Democrats need to fight back against MAGA by laughing at them, says MAGA is "dangerous" but Dems should still try laughing anyway.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 6, 2025
"Stephen Miller is a clown. I’ve never seen that guy in real life, but he looks like he’s, like, 4′ 10."
They… pic.twitter.com/p6jQgs3FAX
Stephen Miller fires back as Capitol Hill exchange goes viral
Stephen Miller didn’t exactly turn the other cheek. When asked about Ocasio-Cortez’s comments, he responded on Fox News with Laura Ingraham.
“Well, we knew that her brain didn’t work. Now we know her eyes don’t work,” Miller said.
The video of Ocasio-Cortez’s Capitol Hill exchange with Belisario didn’t stay quiet for long.
The clip was shared by MeidasTouch and quickly went viral, racking up about three million views on X.
Ocasio-Cortez herself leaned into the moment.
“You can either be a pervert or ask me to be on your little show. Not both. Good luck!” she wrote on X while reposting the clip.
You can either be a pervert or ask me to be on your little show. Not both.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 8, 2026
Good luck! https://t.co/RUYEgSrG2M
Jesse Watters calls Miller a 'sexual matador'
During the October clash, Watters leaned into the controversy with some risque humor. On Jesse Watters Primetime, Watters referred to Miller as a 'sexual matador' before bringing him on for an interview.
“Before we let you go, we just have to address the elephant in the room,” Watters said at the end of the segment. “We’re getting a lot of texts from women about Miller and his appearances and his appearance. Our audience at Primetime believes you’re some sort of sexual matador. What do you have to say for yourself?”
Watters: We are getting a lot of texts from women about Stephen Miller. Our audience believes you are some sort of sexual matador.
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 9, 2024
Miller: Some advice to any young man out there. If you are a young man who's looking to impress the ladies, to be attractive.. the best thing you… pic.twitter.com/PMwMO3Voz1
Miller responded by offering what he described as advice to young men.
“I’m married now, I have children, but I wasn’t married that long ago. I was single and I was on the market,” he said. “If you’re a young man – it’s very important in an election season – who’s looking to impress ladies, to be the alpha, to be attractive, the best thing you can do is to wear your Trump support on your sleeve.”
He added, “Show that you are a real man. Show that you are not a beta, right? Be a proud and loud Trump supporter, and your dating life will be fantastic.”
Watters wrapped the segment with a grin. “I cannot wait to see the texts tonight. Stephen Miller, thank you. Take it easy on the ladies," he said.
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