New York Assemblyman Matt Slater has challenged Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s assertion of being a Bronx native, sharing a yearbook photo of her from Yorktown Heights, a suburb of Westchester County, where she attended high school. Slater, a Republican representing Yorktown, claims the image proves that Ocasio-Cortez grew up in Yorktown, not the Bronx, and that her portrayal as a tough Bronx girl is a ‘bold-face lie.’ This challenge comes amid broader tensions within political discourse, particularly highlighting concerns about authenticity in the Democratic Party.
Slater’s remarks were made during a recent appearance on Fox & Friends First, where he argued that Ocasio-Cortez’s claim of Bronx upbringing was part of a larger issue of ‘authenticity’ within the party. He pointed to her high school yearbook photo, which he asserts shows her in Yorktown, a small town in northern Westchester, nearly an hour away from New York City. Slater described Yorktown as a ‘great suburban town’ with a ‘touch of rural to it,’ emphasizing its contrast to the Bronx. Ocasio-Cortez, who graduated from the town’s high school, whose mascot is a cornhusker, has spoken about her early years in Westchester, though her Bronx roots have become a key part of her political brand.
Slater’s challenge to Ocasio-Cortez’s identity coincides with a recent public spat between the congresswoman and President Donald Trump, in which she renewed her calls for Trump’s impeachment over his decision to bypass Congress in authorizing U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Ocasio-Cortez’s comments on this matter, notably her reference to ‘eating Queens boys for breakfast,’ have been interpreted by Slater as a further instance of her political persona. He criticized her for exaggerating her background, suggesting it is part of a pattern where Democratic figures embellish their personal histories for political gain.
Slater also extended his critique to other Democratic leaders, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whom he accused of similarly exaggerating their life stories for political advantage. He argued that when voters discover the ‘truth’ about these politicians, they may feel disconnected, implying that such actions alienate genuine constituents. For Slater, this represents a broader ‘big lie’ that Democratic figures continue to peddle to secure electoral victories. His comments underscore a growing divide in political narratives, with some figures challenging the legitimacy of others’ backgrounds and identities within the political landscape.