Close allies of Donald Trump are pushing him to file a defamation lawsuit against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after she labeled him a “rapist” on X, citing the E. Jean Carroll civil case. Legal experts argue her statement crosses a line—even under the broad protections of U.S. defamation law.
Allies of former U.S. President Donald Trump are advising him to take legal action against Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) following a post on X (formerly Twitter) in which she referred to him as a “rapist.” The comment, referencing the civil case filed by writer E. Jean Carroll, has ignited a firestorm of legal and political debate, with many accusing the congresswoman of crossing a serious line.
Though Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation in the Carroll case, he was not convicted of rape, a distinction his supporters argue makes Ocasio-Cortez’s accusation potentially defamatory.
Legal analyst Phil Holloway weighed in sharply, writing:
“Trump should sue Ocasio-Cortez into bankruptcy. I understand she’s trying to raise her profile, but this has gone too far.”
Republican Senator Mike Lee echoed the sentiment, stating:
“Even under the extraordinarily lenient standards of New York Times v. Sullivan, they found grounds for a defamation lawsuit. Wow.”
Bill Mitchell, conservative commentator and host of YourVoiceAmerica, dismissed the congresswoman’s remark as a blatant misrepresentation:
“We have grounds for a huge defamation lawsuit, you idiot, because Donald Trump was never accused of rape, let alone convicted.”
The White House has declined to comment on both Ocasio-Cortez’s inflammatory post and the possibility of Trump initiating legal action.
Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal member of the progressive “Squad,” has been no stranger to controversy—particularly for her frequent criticism of Trump and her outspoken stances on Israel, which have drawn backlash across party lines. While she has not issued a response to calls for a lawsuit, the post remains live on her account, fueling ongoing outrage in conservative circles.
The debate underscores not only the legal risks associated with political rhetoric but also the deepening hostility between partisan camps in the U.S. political landscape—where words, now more than ever, carry weighty consequences.
