Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s ‘Tax the Rich’ Dress at the Met Gala Sparks Debate on Progressive Leadership
(Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
When Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attended the 2021 Met Gala, she made waves with a bold political statement. Wearing a white gown emblazoned with the words “Tax the Rich” in red lettering, Ocasio-Cortez turned heads and sparked intense debates about her role as a progressive leader at a celebrity-filled event.
Designed by Brother Vellies, the dress stood out against the backdrop of extravagant fashion, drawing both praise and criticism, as reported by The List. The Met Gala, known for its sky-high ticket prices — reportedly $35,000 per person — seemed an unlikely platform for Ocasio-Cortez’s political message.
While some applauded her audacity, others accused her of hypocrisy for attending such an exclusive event. Political commentator Ana Navarro-Cardenas dismissed the move as a “stunt,” while fashion critic Vanessa Friedman called it “a complicated proposition.”
The controversy didn’t stop with online debates. Ocasio-Cortez’s appearance caught the attention of the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), which launched an investigation into possible misconduct. The OCE raised concerns that she may have violated House rules and federal law by accepting impermissible gifts, including the dress, jewelry, transportation, and hotel accommodations related to her Met Gala appearance.
Though Ocasio-Cortez reimbursed the costs once the investigation began, questions persisted about her initial intent regarding the expenses. The OCE stated, “If Rep Ocasio-Cortez accepted impermissible gifts, then she may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.”
In her defense, Ocasio-Cortez’s legal team argued that there was no intention to circumvent ethics policies. “Even after OCE’s exhaustive review of the Congresswoman’s personal communications, there is no evidence that she ever intended to avoid these expenses,” they stated, as reported by News Nation.
Ocasio-Cortez took to Instagram to explain her attendance, noting that New York City elected officials are often invited to the Met Gala due to their oversight of cultural institutions. However, the incident underscored the delicate balance she faces between her political responsibilities and her status as a cultural icon.
Not an @aoc hater.
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) September 14, 2021
But come on, going to an event for super-rich with “tax the rich” written on your ass, won’t change a thing. It’s a stunt to justify her presence at an fancy shin-dig that doesn’t match her political persona.
She still looks better that Kim K in the bat outfit. pic.twitter.com/g4vi9Di53l
Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez finds herself at a pivotal moment in her career following a significant loss in her bid to chair the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. The defeat of 74-year-old Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va) signals increasing friction within the Democratic Party, where younger progressives push for change, and centrists reinforce the status quo.
Corryn Freeman, executive director of Future Coalition, commented, “Some of the younger members need to be willing to take risks for their careers by calling out Democratic processes as harmful to the power-building they claim to desire.” At 35, Ocasio-Cortez remains a key figure in the party, but this latest setback highlights the constraints of House traditions and seniority-driven promotions.
