Fox News Host Claims AOC Is Quietly Laying Groundwork for the Most Potent Presidential Bid Since Obama

As the dust settles from the last tumultuous election cycle, speculation is already swirling around the 2028 presidential race. At the center of this intrigue is U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), the 36-year-old progressive firebrand from New York’s 14th congressional district. With mounting evidence of a meticulously organized political operation, some commentators—including Fox News host Laura Ingraham—are calling AOC’s preparations “the most powerful political operation we’ve seen since Obama.”

Building a Movement

Laura Ingraham’s warning to Republicans on X (formerly Twitter) was clear: “AOC is positioning herself to run for president in 2028. Republicans, as you fight amongst yourselves, she’s building the most powerful political operation we’ve seen since Obama.” Ingraham’s post was accompanied by a video of Ocasio-Cortez discussing her campaign’s grassroots efforts, including raising enough money to donate 1,600 turkeys to Bronx families this Thanksgiving—a small but telling example of how AOC connects policy, activism, and community outreach.

AOC’s political machinery is not just about charity or soundbites. According to Axios, sources familiar with her operation say she’s laying the groundwork for a 2028 presidential or U.S. Senate run. She has invested millions in social media outreach, expanding both her supporter base and her grassroots fundraising network. With over 36.7 million followers across platforms, Ocasio-Cortez’s digital presence dwarfs that of many established politicians, giving her a direct line to voters—especially the younger, more diverse demographics that are reshaping American politics.

The Field: Wide Open and Uncertain

The 2028 election is poised to be the first in a generation without Donald Trump as a central figure—unless, as he has sometimes teased, he attempts another run. On the Democratic side, the field is unsettled. The party is still recovering from a painful defeat last November, and its path forward is unclear.

Potential Democratic contenders include California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, both of whom have signaled continued political ambitions. Ocasio-Cortez, now constitutionally eligible to run for president, represents the progressive wing’s best shot at capturing the nomination and the White House. Her recent travels to battleground states like Arizona and Nevada, often alongside Senator Bernie Sanders, further indicate her national aspirations.

Polling remains fluid. In a recent hypothetical matchup, Newsom led with 36 percent against Vice President JD Vance, with AOC and Vance tied at 34 percent each. On the Republican side, Vance is currently the favorite, but other heavyweights such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Texas Senator Ted Cruz are likely to enter the fray.

What the Experts Say

AOC’s potential presidential bid is being taken seriously by political veterans and commentators alike. Senator Bernie Sanders, a longtime mentor and ally, told Axios, “I think she would [be a formidable candidate]. I think other people would as well. That’s her decision to make.” Ari Rabin-Havt, a former Sanders aide, added, “She has a supporter base that, in many ways, has a larger potential width than Bernie’s. She has been in the glare of the spotlight from day one and has the national campaigning experience a lot of other potential candidates are now trying to get. It would be the height of arrogance to assume she couldn’t win the 2028 nomination.”

Political commentator Chris Cillizza echoed this sentiment, writing, “AOC would be INSANE not to run for president in 2028.”

Why It Matters

AOC’s rise is significant for several reasons:

– A New Generation of Leadership: At just 36, Ocasio-Cortez embodies the generational shift underway in American politics. Her candidacy would energize young voters and progressives who feel underrepresented by the party establishment.
– Grassroots Power: Her campaign’s fundraising and organizing prowess rivals that of Barack Obama’s historic 2008 movement, demonstrating the enduring power of small-dollar donors and digital mobilization.
– Democratic Party Crossroads: The Democratic Party faces a choice between centrist pragmatism and progressive ambition. AOC’s decision could determine whether the party continues to straddle the middle or fully embraces its leftward base.
– Republican Calculus: Ingraham’s warning is a reminder that while Republicans may be distracted by internal divisions, a unified and well-organized progressive campaign could upend their electoral strategies.

What Happens Next

For now, Ocasio-Cortez is keeping her options open. Her decision will not only shape her own future but could set the tone for the Democratic Party’s direction in 2028 and beyond. As the party weighs whether to move toward the center or double down on progressive ideals, AOC’s choice will be pivotal.

Her influence is already being felt. Progressive candidates like Zohran Mamdani, who recently won New York City’s mayoral election, have benefited from the momentum she helped generate. If AOC chooses to run, she will enter the race with a formidable infrastructure, a passionate base, and the potential to redefine what is possible in American politics.

Conclusion

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s rumored presidential ambitions are more than idle speculation—they are the logical next step for a politician who has already reshaped the national conversation. Whether or not she ultimately launches a campaign, her presence will force both parties to reckon with a new era of grassroots-driven, digitally savvy, and unapologetically progressive politics.

As 2028 approaches, all eyes will be on AOC—and the movement she has built.