Trump suggests AOC is positioning for 2028 WH bid by distancing herself from ‘woke’ views

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, August 14, suggested that Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) may be positioning herself for a 2028 presidential campaign as she distances herself from some progressive positions associated with the “Woke 1” era.

Trump’s comments came days after Ocasio-Cortez said Democrats should be judged on what candidates are saying now rather than past rhetoric. The president specifically cited sanctuary cities and criminal justice policies while arguing that Democrats are attempting to move away from positions associated with their earlier political messaging.

Trump links Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's comments to possible 2028 bid

During an interview with Fox News, Trump was asked whether Ocasio-Cortez was positioning herself for a presidential campaign. Responding, Trump said, “I think so. And, but if you really look at it, they're all saying the same thing. They're all trying to disavow themselves from saying about crime and all... all the things that they said, they're now trying to disavow.”

The Republican leader also argued that progressives could return to their previous positions once elected, adding, “But people know the woke. I mean, they know the woke. And the woke will become woke again as soon as they get elected.”

Trump specifically pointed to Ocasio-Cortez’s support for sanctuary cities, which generally limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement. “I think you're going to see sanctuary cities start to end, because sanctuary cities are a disaster. And somebody like her, she was big for sanctuary cities,” Trump said. “They cause crime.”

Ocasio-Cortez has not ruled out seeking the presidency but has said she is focused on the 2026 midterm elections. In a recent interview with ABC News, she said, “I am focused on winning the midterms, I am running for Congress right now" but indicated that she hasn't "ruled out the possibility" of a potential campaign. 

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had addressed ‘Woke 1’ comments days earlier

Trump’s comments followed Ocasio-Cortez’s appearance on ABC’s 'This Week' on Sunday, where she was asked about controversial statements made by Francesca Hong, a fellow socialist and Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate, in 2020 and 2021.

The 36-year-old responded by referencing a description she said she had heard from a local city councilman about the period. “I have a local city councilman that has this saying, 'Woke 1 was crazy,'” Ocasio-Cortez said. “And I think that what’s important is that we have to assess what a candidate is saying now.”

Ocasio-Cortez has continued to defend sanctuary-city policies. During a congressional hearing last year, she described them as a safeguard against what she characterized as potential abuses by federal immigration authorities. “There is nothing preventing ICE from issuing a warrant and you having complete compliance,” she said of officials in states such as New York.

The congresswoman has also emerged as a prominent name in early speculation over the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, with prediction markets including Kalshi and Polymarket recently placing her among the leading candidates. However, conventional political polling has continued to rank former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom ahead of her.