Ocasio-Cortez’s Fundraising Tactics Draw Scrutiny Over Celebrity Contributions

NEW YORK, NY – U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez‘s campaign, celebrated for its grassroots fundraising, faces criticism for relying on significant contributions from celebrities and wealthy insiders. A review by The Post reveals that many of Ocasio-Cortez’s small-dollar donations often originate from high-profile donors.

Among the prominent figures supporting her campaign is actress Jane Fonda, who has donated $8,300 to Ocasio-Cortez since 2020, including $500 in the first half of 2025. In a twist, some donors have cleverly bypassed federal limits by breaking their larger contributions into smaller donations, making them appear as grassroots support.

A notable example is Al Kamen, a former Washington Post columnist and a top donor for Ocasio-Cortez, who contributed $7,100 but received a partial refund for exceeding the contribution limit. Other significant backers include corporate professionals like Samuel Maruca from Covington & Burling and Sarah Tucker from Sidley & Austin, both of whom represent affluent sectors.

Ocasio-Cortez’s fundraising includes contributions from tech executives, such as Evan Goldberg, who donated $6,600 this year. Claire Chouinard, a Patagonia designer, gave $6,300, while Porter Diehl from Bridgewater Associates contributed $3,500. These contributions challenge her narrative of being a grassroots candidate.

The Republican National Committee criticized Ocasio-Cortez, stating, “Her campaign is funded by Hollywood celebrities, globalists, and D.C. insiders that she claims to oppose.” The committee argues that her reported average donation of $15 is misleading.

In the first half of 2025, about 10% of her donations came from contributions larger than $200. During the 2024 election cycle, that figure rose to nearly 30%. These numbers emphasize the reliance on wealthy donors in her funding.

Ocasio-Cortez, who represents parts of the Bronx and Queens, continues to promote her campaign donations as a reflection of grassroots support, claiming the average contribution is between $15 to $17. However, some donors, such as Manhattan doctor Tina Dobsevage, have split large contributions into numerous small donations to obscure their true amounts.

The office of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did not respond to The Post’s request for comment regarding the issue.