Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is dismissing rumors that she is pregnant.
The 35-year-old New York congresswoman has been the subject of speculation over her appearance, with some describing her as having a maternal glow.
AOC felt compelled to respond in an Instagram video, in which she shared that a Republican lawmaker had approached her and asked if she was expecting.
Ocasio-Cortez had a playful answer to users who called her "glowing," saying she ate too much on Thanksgiving.
"Everyone keeps asking me if I’m pregnant,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “Actually, a member, a Republican, came to me on the floor this week and asked me if I was pregnant. I’m not pregnant guys, I had a lot of food at Thanksgiving. Okay? It happens.”
CONGRESSWOMAN AOC: A Republican asked me on the floor if I am pregnant. I am not pregnant guys. I ate a lot of food. Okay? It happens.pic.twitter.com/yITI8n2K3q
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 23, 2024
Rumors about AOC's supposed pregnancy gained traction through right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who accused AOC of hiding a "baby bump."
"Hey @AOC,” Loomer wrote on X. “The election is over. You can come out and finally admit you’re pregnant. Or are you waiting till the 9th month to abort? The election is over, cupcake.”
AOC entered Congress in a shocking upset against Democratic incumbent Joe Crowley at the age of 29. She is engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Riley Roberts, who proposed in 2022.
The couple met as undergraduates at Boston University, long before AOC became a world-famous politician.
A quintessential career woman, AOC expressed some reluctance about the engagement, as she wasn't sure if her future husband would be comfortable with supporting a more famous wife.
"For him to experience us dating when I was still working as a waitress and a bartender through now and seeing how the world responds [to me], I think has been a very eye-opening experience for him as well," Ocasio-Cortez told GQ.
AOC recently suffered a career setback after losing a bid to represent Democrats on the powerful House Oversight Committee. She lost decidedly to a much more senior member, Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who triumphed despite a cancer diagnosis.
While AOC has many years to climb the political ladder, the biological clock operates on its own time. If she is indeed planning a family soon, that's wonderful news.
