AOC Calls Out Trump as “Two-Bit Union Buster” in DNC Speech Embracing Working-Class Values
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez / Photo by cornstalker (CC)
Following United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain’s denunciation of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump as a “scab,” U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took the stage at the Democratic National Convention, making it clear that the Democratic Party is firmly focused on issues affecting working Americans ahead of the November elections.
Ocasio-Cortez’s speech marked a significant shift in the party’s approach, reflecting a growing embrace of progressive voices within the Democratic base. This change is notable considering that just six years ago, Ocasio-Cortez surprised the political establishment by defeating corporate-friendly Rep. Joe Crowley. “Democrats giving AOC a primetime speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention means they are finally embracing progressives and acknowledging this is part and parcel of their base and future,” observed journalist Wajahat Ali, pointing out that Ocasio-Cortez was given only 90 seconds to speak at the 2020 convention.
In her speech, Ocasio-Cortez recounted her journey from restaurant worker to federal lawmaker, illustrating the struggles faced by millions of Americans. “Like millions of Americans, we were just looking for an honest shake,” she said, reflecting on her time as a waitress in New York City. “And we were tired of a cynical politics that seemed blind to the realities of working people.”
She highlighted the ongoing disdain from Republican politicians who often mock her background. “They frequently attack me by saying that I should go back to bartending,” she noted. “But let me tell you, I’m happy to, any day of the week. There is nothing wrong with working for a living.”
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, offers a “rare and precious opportunity” for Americans. “In Kamala Harris, we have a chance to elect a president who is for the middle class because she is from the middle class,” she said, praising Harris’s commitment to issues like rent, groceries, and prescriptions, as well as her dedication to reproductive and civil rights.
She also took direct aim at Trump, calling him “a two-bit union buster [who] thinks of himself as more of a patriot than the woman who fights every single day to lift working people out from under the boots of greed, trampling on our way of life.” Ocasio-Cortez didn’t hold back, stating, “We know that Donald Trump would sell this country for a dollar if it meant lining his pockets and greasing the palms of his Wall Street friends.”
The congresswoman’s speech resonated with many, including New York City Council member Chi Ossé, who praised her as “an un-bought politician who holds populist, working-class values.” The crowd’s enthusiastic response, including chants of her nickname “AOC,” highlighted the growing influence of progressive leaders in the party.
Ocasio-Cortez briefly mentioned Israel’s assault on Gaza, drawing applause when she said Harris is “working tirelessly to secure a cease-fire.” However, some, like author Kate Willett, questioned the validity of this claim, arguing that genuine efforts for peace would involve more drastic measures, such as cutting off weapons to Israel.
Ocasio-Cortez’s address signaled a bold new direction for the Democratic Party, one that aligns more closely with the needs and concerns of working Americans, while also challenging the influence of Trump and his allies.
