Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Rightwing Watchdog Group Files Ethics Complaint Against AOC After Her Epic Met Gala Appearance

Rightwing Watchdog Group Files Ethics Complaint Against AOC After Her Epic Met Gala Appearance
James Devaney/GC Images
Make us preferred on Google

This week, some of the most famous faces in the United States gathered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the annual Met Gala, dressed to reflect the new costume exhibit around which the event was centered, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.

While there was no shortage of eye-popping looks, one of the most buzzed about ensembles was that of progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.


The Congresswoman—colloquially known as "AOC"—donned a white gown emblazoned with "Tax the Rich" in red, a longstanding slogan of hers.

The look was designed by Aurora James, the activist and designer behind the Brother Vellies label, with whom AOC attended the event.

Though many hailed the look, it still generated some criticism from people on both sides of the aisle. Leftists accused her of performing a hollow gesture at an event for the wealthy. Conservatives accused her of hypocrisy, falsely suggesting she paid $35 thousand to attend the event.

Now, a right-wing ethics group, the American Accountability Foundation, has filed an ethics complaint against AOC, arguing that her acceptance of admission amounted to a gift lavish enough to be improper.

The complaint reads in part:

"[W]e believe Representative Ocasio-Cortez has violated clause 5 of Rule XXV of the Rules of the House of Representatives (commonly known as the Gift Rule) by accepting admission to the Met Gala, an event whose per seat costs is reported to range from $35,000 to $50,000, without having a permissible exemption to allow the acceptance of the lavish gift. If Representative Occasion-Cortez has used campaign funds to pay for this ticket, she has also violated FEC prohibitions on campaign funds being used for entertainment purposes."

There's no evidence that Ocasio-Cortez paid to attend the event, nor was she the only elected official to join the soiree. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of New York was in attendance as well.

Ocasio-Cortez posted a tweet asserting that elected officials in New York regularly attend the Gala, which benefits the Metropolitan Museum of Art—a public institution.

AOC's team told NBC news:

"We are confident we complied with all ethics rules."

People dismissed the claim on social media.



Others said there were double standards at play.


The group has yet to respond to those complaints.

More from People/alexandria-ocasio-cortez

Screenshot of Ron DeSantis
Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Podcast

Ron DeSantis Just Ripped Republicans Who Claim That High Gas Prices Are 'No Big Deal'

On the eve of the midterm elections, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis surprised observers by criticizing Republicans who've downplayed the impact high gas prices have had on the electorate.

Americans continue to struggle with a nationwide affordability crisis hurting their wallets as well as at the pump. Because of the war President Donald Trump began with Iran earlier this year—and the continued blockade in the Strait of Hormuz—the global oil supply has been limited, causing a surge in prices.

Keep ReadingShow less
Abdul El-Sayed; JD Vance
Salwan Georges/Getty Images; Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)

Victorious Abdul El-Sayed Points Out The 'Delicious Irony' Of What JD Vance Will Have To Do—And It's Too Good

After his historic defeat of Michigan Republican Mike Rogers in the state's U.S. Senate race, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed had observers cackling after he reminded his crowd of supporters that Vice President JD Vance will now have to swear him in.

It was a triumphant moment for El-Sayed, particularly after Vance had mispronounced his name at a rally on Friday at an Ohio steel plant before accusing him of arguing that "criticisms of Sharia law were rooted in white supremacy."

Keep ReadingShow less
Amy Poehler
ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images

Amy Poehler Sparks Debate After Claiming She Was Forced To Leave 'SNL' After Giving Birth Despite Wanting To Return

It might be late 2026, but there are still plenty of women who find their work compromised, if not taken away entirely, when they decide to become moms.

With women facing unpaid maternity leave, their jobs being taken away while they're on leave, or their hours or pay being reduced after they give birth, new moms are losing work opportunities all the time.

Keep ReadingShow less

French Actor Léa Seydoux's Disgusted Reaction To Nearly Every Food Item In Tasting Interview Has The Internet Cackling

Remember being forced to try a food you already knew you weren't going to like? Maybe you took a tiny bite just to be polite, smiled through the disappointment, and quietly vowed never to eat it again.

Well, French actor Léa Seydoux wasn't about to pretend her taste buds approved during an Elle UK food-tasting interview, and the internet is having an absolute field day with her reactions.

Keep ReadingShow less
P!nk
Theo Wargo/Tony Awards Productions/Getty Images

P!nk Responds After Photo Of Her Without Makeup Sparks Cruel Looks-Shaming Comments

P!nk has come under fire lately for her controversial and divisive political views, prompting many people to respond cruelly to just about any post concerning her.

So when the 47-year-old Grammy winner was recently photographed in New York City without makeup on, the internet trolls were the loudest commenters to show up. Shared by Page Six, the candid photo showed the singer without makeup, wearing a purple sweatsuit and brown and white headwrap, and carrying her small dog in a cream crossbody bag.

Keep ReadingShow less