AOC’s Puerto Rico Expenses Spark Fresh Scrutiny

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…

Andrew PowellDec 11, 20253 min read

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’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 Bunnyperformed 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.