AOC rejects Jesse Watters' Fox News invite claiming he 'sexually harassed' her on air

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
PUBLISHED JAN 8, 2026
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez isn’t heading to Fox News anytime soon, at least not to sit across from host Jesse Watters (Getty Images)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez isn’t heading to Fox News anytime soon, at least not to sit across from host Jesse Watters (Getty Images)

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.



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.



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.



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.



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?”



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.

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.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Travelers will face longer security and customs lines as officers shift to general screening during the partial shutdown now entering its second week
4 minutes ago
Zohran Mamdani urged New Yorkers to step in as emergency snow shovelers as the city braces for a blizzard that could dump nearly two feet of snow
5 hours ago
At the Governors Dinner, Trump playfully singled out Abbott’s pricey requests while highlighting his influence in Texas politics
5 hours ago
Kaitlan Collins suggested the banner blurred the traditional boundary between the White House and the Justice Department
7 hours ago
Donald Trump's announcement immediately raised questions about why the aid was being sent and whether Greenland had requested any assistance
7 hours ago
JD Vance pushed back on Democratic opposition to voter ID measures, framing the issue as one of election integrity
8 hours ago
Trump thanked Hegseth for his leadership, telling governors that he had played a key role in motivating Americans to serve in the armed forces again
8 hours ago
Speaking at the National Governors Association Dinner, Trump revisited his long-running gripe about aerosol cans and the ozone layer
8 hours ago
Adam Schiff said he would attend an alternative event outside the Capitol, breaking with his long record of attending every State of the Union address
9 hours ago
Trump revisited his 2020 election fraud claims, calling the loss of a second term 'terrible' during the governors’ dinner remarks
9 hours ago