But the speculation surrounding her political future has intensified in recent weeks.
Ocasio-Cortez has also drawn attention for remarks suggesting that some of the progressive politics associated with the late 2010s and early 2020s went too far. During a recent appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” she described the era sometimes referred to as “Woke 1” as having become “crazy.”
Trump seized on that apparent shift, arguing that Ocasio-Cortez and other Democrats recognize that some of their past positions could become liabilities with voters.
“If you really look at it, they’re all saying the same thing,” Trump said.
“They’re all trying to disavow themselves from saying about crime and all, we love sanctuary cities. All of the things that they said they’re now trying to disavow,” he added.
The president specifically pointed to sanctuary cities, which have long been a major flashpoint in the national immigration debate.
“I think you’re going to see sanctuary cities start to end, because sanctuary cities are a disaster,” he said. “And somebody like her, she was big for sanctuary cities.”
That criticism comes despite Ocasio-Cortez’s continued defense of sanctuary policies. She has argued that such policies can serve as a safeguard against what she considers excessive federal involvement in immigration enforcement.
Still, the congresswoman has repeatedly avoided closing the door on a 2028 campaign.
When Fox News Digital asked whether she was interested in seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, Ocasio-Cortez declined to make a commitment.
“I have genuinely not really weighed seriously anything past the midterm elections,” Ocasio-Cortez told Fox News Digital when asked if she is interested in a run.
“I think that I’m taking in this information just like anybody else,” Ocasio-Cortez added.
She has made a similar argument elsewhere, emphasizing that Democrats first need to concentrate on the 2026 elections.
“I think my main focus is really genuinely just the midterms right now, and we have to make sure that we win this majority,” Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent in a recent interview.
Yet the political numbers are giving Democrats another reason to watch her closely.
A July University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll placed Ocasio-Cortez at the top of the potential Democratic field in New Hampshire. She received 22% support among likely Democratic primary voters, narrowly ahead of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 21%. Former Vice President Kamala Harris registered only 5%.
The poll does not mean Ocasio-Cortez is running. No formal 2028 Democratic presidential campaign has been launched by her, and early primary surveys can change dramatically before voters actually head to the polls.
But her position is nevertheless notable.
Ocasio-Cortez has built one of the strongest national profiles among progressive Democrats since entering Congress. She has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to attract younger voters, energize the party’s activist wing and generate enormous attention online.
That popularity could become a major asset if she ultimately decides to seek the White House.
At the same time, a presidential campaign would force Ocasio-Cortez to answer difficult questions about some of the positions that helped make her a national progressive icon.
Trump is clearly betting that those past positions will remain politically relevant.
His comments also reflect a broader Republican strategy: portray Democrats as attempting to soften or rewrite their records on crime, immigration and public safety as they prepare for another national campaign.
Whether Ocasio-Cortez is actually preparing for a presidential run remains her decision.
For now, she says the midterms come first.
But with her name already sitting atop at least one early 2028 Democratic poll — and with Trump publicly predicting that she is preparing for the next race — the speculation surrounding Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
