Viral claims linking Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez to a fentanyl trafficking scheme originated from a satirical website but spread like wildfire, forcing AOC’s brother to publicly defend himself against completely fabricated allegations.
At a Glance
- Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s brother, has been forced to deny false rumors claiming he was involved in fentanyl trafficking
- The fake story incorrectly named him as “Matthew” and claimed he was arrested with $1.2 million of fentanyl on Lake Superior
- The rumor originated from a satirical website called the Dunning-Kruger Times, which explicitly labels its content as fictional
- Gabriel warned about the dangers of spreading misinformation, noting that even a small percentage of believers could lead to violence
- He threatened potential legal action against those continuing to spread the false allegations
How the Rumor Spread
The false allegations against Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez began circulating widely across social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram Threads, and Twitter. The original source was the Dunning-Kruger Times, a website that explicitly describes itself as a network of parody and satire with all content being fictional. Despite these clear disclaimers, the story gained traction when TikTok user Mamawendi4 amplified the claims, causing them to reach a much wider audience than intended.
The fabricated story contained obvious satirical elements that should have raised red flags for discerning readers. It claimed that oat milk and Patagonia vests were found alongside the drugs during the supposed bust. Even more tellingly, the article misidentified Gabriel as “Matthew” Ocasio-Cortez, a name that bears no relation to AOC’s actual brother. These inconsistencies did little to slow the spread of the misinformation as it continued to be shared without verification.
Gabriel’s Response to False Allegations
Forced to address the rumors publicly, Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez took to TikTok to set the record straight. He clearly identified himself and explained that the allegations were completely false. He emphasized his real work with homeless communities, which stands in stark contrast to the criminal activities alleged in the fake story. His direct approach aimed to counter the rapidly spreading misinformation with clear, factual corrections.
“I’m the brother. My name’s not Matthew. I have no idea why they’re posting this. I work with the homeless. I have nothing to do with this story, which isn’t real. Please find something better to do with your time.” – Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez.
Gabriel’s frustration was evident as he concluded his response with a straightforward warning to those continuing to spread the false allegations: “Don’t make me sue.” This threat of legal action underscores the seriousness with which he viewed the situation and the potential real-world consequences of such misinformation campaigns. His concern extended beyond personal reputation to the broader implications of unchecked fake news.
The Dangers of Misinformation
In a follow-up video, Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez expanded on the dangerous implications of viral misinformation. He explained that even if only a small percentage of people believe such false claims, the absolute numbers can be significant enough to pose real threats. With millions potentially exposed to such content, even a tiny fraction taking it seriously could represent thousands of individuals potentially motivated to harmful action.
“The thing that I want people to really understand where I’m coming from is that, even if, let’s just say, one million people play into that – let’s just say that even one percent of them actually believe it – that’s 10,000 people. That’s all it takes to start to get somebody that’s a little bit radicalized, somebody that’s willing to pick up their guns and go do something – and it wouldn’t be the first time somebody has tried.” – Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez.
The fabricated Vice Admiral quotation in the satirical article further demonstrates how easily authoritative-sounding but entirely fictional statements can lend credibility to false claims. The article attributed a quote to “Vice Admiral Joe Barron” claiming, “We had credible information of a drug buy. We had no idea there would be a high-profile person on board.” This fictional military authority figure was created solely to add an air of legitimacy to the made-up story.
