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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Labels Past Progressive Era 'Woke 1' As Crazy

Politics6 sourcesAug 17, 2026
FlatRigor 506 sources

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez described the "Woke 1" era of progressive activism as crazy in a recent ABC interview, a statement that has prompted Democratic guests on Sunday shows to avoid defining the term woke. Ocasio-Cortez has also been sharing details of her egg-freezing process on Instagram, posting videos and answering questions from her 9.6 million followers. Some Democrats view Ocasio-Cortez's "Woke 1" comment as a strategic distancing from past perceived excesses, potentially to aid a future presidential run. Former Biden White House adviser Yemisi Egbewole suggested this pivot could hinder her with culturally moderate demographics, including Black voters in the South. Ocasio-Cortez attributed some of the left's past excesses partly to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, though she made controversial remarks before 2020. On Sunday shows, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) declined to directly agree with Ocasio-Cortez's assessment, stating he did not know what the labels meant and instead recited his record, including never supporting defunding the police and calling for abolishing ICE. When asked about a Democratic socialist who lost a primary after calling for the removal of Thanksgiving, Khanna defended her, stating he was proud to endorse her. Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) also faced similar questioning on "State of the Union." Ocasio-Cortez herself did not endorse the losing Democratic socialist candidate, stating her focus was on winning back the Congress.

What they agree on

  • Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that "Woke 1" was "crazy" in a recent interview.
  • Democratic politicians have been hesitant to define "woke" when questioned on Sunday news programs.
  • Ocasio-Cortez has been documenting her egg-freezing process on Instagram.
  • Some Democrats see Ocasio-Cortez's "Woke 1" comment as a strategic move.

Where they split

  • The Blaze and The Daily Wire frame Ocasio-Cortez's "Woke 1" comment as a potential negative for Democrats, while Axios focuses on the strategic implications for her political future.
  • The Hill and RealClearPolitics emphasize the difficulty Democrats face in defining "woke" after Ocasio-Cortez's statement, including specific exchanges on Sunday shows.
  • The Critic and The Blaze suggest a "Woke 2.0" is coming and will be worse, a perspective not emphasized by other outlets.
  • Axios includes commentary from a former Biden White House adviser regarding the potential impact of Ocasio-Cortez's "Woke 1" comment on her electability with certain demographics.