AOC Spent Nearly $50K on Puerto Rico Hotels and Dining
Official photo of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 2018. Photo by Franmarie Metzler, U.S. House Office of Photography. Public domain.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's campaign has reported nearly $50,000 in spending on hotels, meals, and venue rentals in Puerto Rico during the third quarter of 2025, raising eyebrows and sparking debate over the use of campaign funds. The expenditures coincide with Ocasio-Cortez's August visit to the island, where she was seen attending a Bad Bunny concert and speaking out against gentrification, according to multiple news reports.
Luxury Stays and Upscale Dining
Federal Election Commission filings reveal that Ocasio-Cortez's principal campaign committee spent $15,489.77 on accommodations in Puerto Rico between July and September. This includes stays at the Hotel Palacio Provincial, a "first-class," "adults only" property housed in a historic 19th-century building in San Juan, as reported by the New York Post. The campaign paid $680.52 for a night in late July, followed by $1,507.26 in late August and a substantial $9,440.79 in late September at the same hotel.
Another notable lodging expense was a $3,861.20 payment to Hotel El Convento, another historic San Juan hotel known for its "old world charm and elegance," as reported by the New York Post. These boutique hotels are far from budget accommodations, highlighting the upscale nature of the campaign's spending.
In addition to lodging, the campaign spent at least $10,743.13 on catering and meals during the same period. The expenditures include dining at high-end San Juan restaurants such as Cocina Abierta, Cocina al Fondo, and Verde Mesa. The campaign also shelled out $6,300 for a meal at Ama, an Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C., and spent thousands more on catering and ice cream vendors in D.C., Vermont, New York, and the Bronx.
Venue Rental and the Bad Bunny Connection
Perhaps the most eye-catching expense was the campaign's payment of over $23,000 to rent the Coliseo De Puerto Rico, the venue where Ocasio-Cortez was seen dancing at a Bad Bunny concert in August. The rental fees were reportedly paid on June 24 and August 25, though it remains unclear whether the payments were directly related to the concerts or other events, as reported by BP Daily.
The August concert drew a star-studded crowd, including Brooklyn Rep. Nydia Velázquez, NBA star LeBron James, actress Penelope Cruz, and actor Austin Butler. Ocasio-Cortez's presence at the event was widely publicized, with video footage reportedly showing her enjoying the performance.
Campaign Defense and Local Advocacy
Ocasio-Cortez's campaign has defended the spending, emphasizing that the congresswoman frequently travels to Puerto Rico to support local causes and host events that require staff and security. Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben, a campaign manager, stated that Ocasio-Cortez is "deeply proud of her investment in grassroots organizing" and remains committed to advocating for both the people on the island and the millions of Puerto Ricans living in the diaspora, as reported by BP Daily.
The congresswoman's ties to Puerto Rico are personal as well as political. Her mother was reportedly born on the island, and Ocasio-Cortez has been vocal about issues affecting Puerto Rico, including gentrification and economic challenges. During her August visit, she used social media to denounce gentrification occurring on the island, even as her campaign was incurring significant expenses on luxury accommodations.
Spending Beyond Puerto Rico
The filings also reportedly show that Ocasio-Cortez's campaign spent thousands on boutique hotels and high-end catering outside Puerto Rico during the same quarter. This includes nearly $5,000 at the Hotel Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, and stays at the Thompson Central Park Hotel and Arlo Williamsburg in New York City, costing $2,000 and $3,000 respectively.
These expenditures reportedly coincide with Ocasio-Cortez's "Fighting Oligarchy" tour alongside Senator Bernie Sanders, which involved stops in various cities and included stays at luxury hotels and expensive dining options.
Public Reaction and Political Optics
The spending has drawn mixed reactions. Critics question whether such lavish expenditures align with Ocasio-Cortez's image as a champion of the working class and grassroots activism. Social media users have expressed skepticism about the use of campaign funds for luxury hotels and fine dining, especially amid ongoing economic challenges faced by many Americans, as reported by The Independent.
Conversely, supporters argue that the expenses are justified by the need for security, staff, and effective organizing on the ground. They point to Ocasio-Cortez's commitment to Puerto Rico and her efforts to bring attention to the island's struggles as evidence that the spending supports meaningful political work.
A Balancing Act
Ocasio-Cortez's campaign spending in Puerto Rico and beyond highlights the complex balancing act faced by modern politicians. On one hand, there is pressure to maintain a relatable, grassroots image. On the other, effective campaigning often requires travel, security, and event hosting that come with significant costs.
As the debate over campaign spending continues, Ocasio-Cortez's filings offer a detailed look at how funds are allocated in pursuit of political goals. Whether the expenditures will affect her standing with donors and constituents remains to be seen.
The story of nearly $50,000 in campaign spending on luxury hotels, fine dining, and venue rentals in Puerto Rico is a vivid example of the scrutiny public officials face over their use of resources. It also underscores the ongoing conversation about transparency, accountability, and the realities of political campaigning in the 21st century.
References: AOC Spent Almost $50K On Luxury Hotels, Fine Dining, And Puerto Rico Venue Where Bad Bunny Played | AOC splurged nearly $50K on pricey hotel stays, dining and renting Puerto Rico concert venue where Bad Bunny performed | Democratic Congresswoman comes under fire for hotel costs
