Rep. Jasmine Crockett Accuses Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez & Sen. Bernie Sanders Of Using Their ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ Tour For Self-Promotion: ‘It’s About Them’

Washington, D.C. — Political tensions within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party erupted this week as Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) publicly accused Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) of leveraging their high-profile “Fighting Oligarchy” tour for personal branding rather than the movement they claim to champion.

In an interview that aired late Tuesday evening on a local Texas news channel and was quickly picked up by national outlets, Crockett delivered a blunt critique:

“This isn’t about the people. This is about them,” she said, referencing Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders directly. “They talk about fighting oligarchy, but from what I’ve seen, it’s become more of a self-promotion tour than a real effort to build coalitions or create legislation that changes lives.”

The statement instantly sent ripples across social media, where Democrats and political commentators debated whether the criticism revealed deeper fractures within the party’s progressive ranks.

The “Fighting Oligarchy” Tour

The tour in question — billed as a rallying call against corporate greed and economic inequality — has been a central part of Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders’ push to mobilize progressive voters ahead of the next election cycle. Events have been staged in major cities across the United States, featuring fiery speeches condemning billionaires, Wall Street, and what the pair frequently describe as the “rigged” economic system.

Crowds at the events have been enthusiastic, with many young voters praising the duo for speaking truth to power. Clips of Ocasio-Cortez challenging corporate monopolies and Sanders delivering his signature denunciations of the ultra-wealthy have gone viral repeatedly on TikTok and Twitter (X).

But Crockett’s critique challenges the authenticity of the effort. While acknowledging the importance of mobilizing voters, she suggested that the tour lacked substance beyond its media spectacle.

“Rallies and hashtags don’t write laws,” Crockett said. “If the goal is to actually dismantle oligarchy, we need more than cameras and speeches. We need policy and collaboration — and right now, I’m not seeing that from this tour.”

A Rare Public Rift Among Progressives

While Democrats frequently present a united front in public, intra-party tensions have long simmered beneath the surface, particularly between pragmatic lawmakers and headline-grabbing progressives.

Political analysts note that it’s unusual for a sitting Democrat to criticize figures like Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders so directly. Both are considered icons of the progressive movement, and their endorsements carry significant weight with the party’s left-leaning base.

Crockett, a first-term congresswoman with a growing profile in the Democratic caucus, appears to be carving out her own lane as a blunt, no-nonsense voice. Her critique may resonate with colleagues who feel that while Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders excel at driving media narratives, they struggle to convert energy into legislative victories.

Political strategist Maya Ellison noted in a Wednesday morning broadcast:

“This is a rare moment of public airing of grievances in the progressive wing. What Crockett is saying out loud, some other Democrats might only whisper — that sometimes these tours feel like more show than substance.”

The Response from AOC and Sanders’ Allies

Neither Ocasio-Cortez nor Sanders has issued an official statement responding to Crockett’s remarks. However, allies close to the lawmakers quickly pushed back, defending the tour as a critical tool for movement-building.

A spokesperson for Sanders’ office told reporters:

“Senator Sanders has spent decades fighting the billionaire class and pushing for policies that lift working families. The ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour is about energizing voters and creating the grassroots momentum needed to pass transformative legislation.”

Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez shared a subtle, seemingly indirect response on her Instagram story just hours after the news broke:

“Fighting for working people isn’t self-promotion. It’s the work. The cameras will leave, but the movement stays.”

The post did not mention Crockett by name but was quickly interpreted as a rebuttal.

Social Media Reactions

Some users sided with Crockett, arguing that they had grown weary of political theater without tangible results.

• “She said what needed to be said. We need less TikTok politics and more laws that actually pass,” one user wrote.

Others defended Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders, insisting that public rallies are essential to building long-term momentum.

• “You can’t change policy without people power. These rallies create that power,” tweeted a Sanders supporter.

The Bigger Picture

The controversy underscores a recurring challenge for Democrats: balancing activism and optics with legislative results. While progressive figures like Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders excel at galvanizing the public, critics within the party argue that such efforts risk alienating moderates and distracting from day-to-day governance.

Crockett’s comments may signal a new phase of public debate within the party, one in which the next generation of lawmakers is increasingly willing to challenge even their own ideological allies.

Whether the spat fades quickly or escalates into a larger rift remains to be seen. But for now, one thing is certain: the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour has succeeded in putting the spotlight on its stars — though perhaps not in the way they intended.