Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing renewed attention over her campaign’s financial activity after new filings revealed a concentrated burst of luxury spending in Puerto Rico — a stretch that overlapped with her appearance at a high-profile Bad Bunny concert in San Juan.
According to Fox News, the third-quarter records, covering July through September, show nearly $50,000 in campaign money directed toward upscale hotels, high-end restaurants, and a costly venue rental at the island’s largest arena.
The filings offer itemized figures but do not provide any explanation for the expenditures.
Her visit became widely discussed in August after videos surfaced on social media. One clip showed the New York Democrat speaking at a housing development about gentrification.
Another, circulating soon after, captured her dancing in a suite at Bad Bunny’s Aug. 10 show at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. Rep. Nydia Velázquez appeared alongside her as fans filled the arena during the singer’s 31-show “Residency” run.
According to the newly released FEC filings, lodging made up one of the largest spending categories. Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign paid a total of $15,489.77 to two luxury hotels: Hotel Palacio Provincial and its sister property, Hotel El Convento. Charges included $680.52 on July 28, more than $1,500 on Aug. 29, and another $9,440.79 on Sept. 29, as well as a separate $3,861.20 payment to El Convento on Aug. 25.
The committee also reported $10,743.13 in “meals” and “catering,” dated Aug. 25 and Sept. 29. The restaurants listed — Cocina Abierta, Cocina al Fondo, and Verde Mesa — are known for elevated cuisine and premium pricing.
But the single largest line item was tied to San Juan’s iconic arena. The filings show over $23,000 in payments for “venue rental” at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. Those charges appeared on June 24 and Aug. 25. It is not clear whether the expenses were for multiple bookings or represented partial payments for one event.
Bad Bunny performed at the same venue on Aug. 10, the night Ocasio-Cortez was filmed dancing in a box suite. Fox News Digital reported it could not confirm whether the rental expenses were connected in any way to the concert.
The campaign has not publicly addressed the purpose behind the extensive spending.
With all of the expenses occurring in a matter of weeks — and many of them tied to locations associated with luxury tourism and major entertainment events — the filings have sparked fresh debate over how the committee managed donor contributions during its time on the island.
