Progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) now holds a higher favorability rating among Americans than President Donald Trump, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and even current Vice President JD Vance, according to new polling released Friday by AtlasIntel.
The data reveals a surprising shift in the national political landscape, elevating Ocasio-Cortez—long considered a polarizing figure both within and outside the Democratic Party—into a new tier of popularity, especially as speculation swirls about her future political ambitions.
Why This Matters
Ocasio-Cortez, who vaulted onto the national scene after her upset primary win over a Democratic incumbent in 2018, has often been dismissed by critics as too far left for mainstream politics. Yet the new poll suggests that her message is resonating with a broader swath of the American electorate than previously assumed.
Despite relentless criticism from Republicans and skepticism from centrist Democrats, Ocasio-Cortez has maintained her status as one of the most recognizable—and now, one of the most favorably viewed—politicians in the country.
The Numbers
According to AtlasIntel—described by FiveThirtyEight’s Nate Silver as a “top-rated” pollster and one of the most accurate firms during the 2020 and 2024 elections—Ocasio-Cortez has a 46% positive favorability rating, with 44% viewing her negatively, giving her a net +2 approval rating. Only two public figures scored higher: former President Barack Obama (53% positive) and former First Lady Michelle Obama (49%).
By contrast:
- Donald Trump: 44% positive, 55% negative
- JD Vance: 42% positive, 56% negative
- Kamala Harris: 42% positive, 52% negative
- Joe Biden: 37% positive, 55% negative
The poll surveyed 3,469 adults between May 21 and May 27 and has a margin of error of ±2 percentage points.
A Rising Progressive Star
Ocasio-Cortez’s favorability may be buoyed by her recent “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), which has drawn large, enthusiastic crowds—even in conservative districts. Her unapologetically progressive tone has energized a base that feels increasingly disillusioned with establishment Democrats.
While she continues to dismiss questions about her political future, observers from across the political spectrum are taking notice.
“Do not underestimate AOC,” warned Monica Crowley, a former Treasury Department official in the Trump administration, during a Fox News appearance last year. “She’s young, she’s vibrant, she’s attractive.”
Even conservative media and Republican strategists who routinely attack Ocasio-Cortez acknowledge her magnetic appeal and media savvy—traits that have kept her in the spotlight far beyond her years in Congress.
What the Experts Are Saying
Political scientists say Ocasio-Cortez is increasingly viewed by Democratic voters as a natural successor to Sanders’ progressive mantle.
“Many Democrats embrace AOC as a worthy young successor to Bernie,” said D. Stephen Voss, a political science professor at the University of Kentucky. “Someone who can play the role of progressive challenger in a Democratic nomination battle.”
What’s Next?
While no formal plans have been announced, there is increasing speculation that Ocasio-Cortez could challenge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a 2028 primary, or even make a run for the presidency. Her rising profile—combined with widespread dissatisfaction toward current Democratic leadership—may offer her a strong launching pad.
While Republicans would be wise to keep an eye on her, they should note that her boost in favorability may not translate into electoral victory. As previously mentioned, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama were the only political figures that scored higher than her, but Barack Obama’s efforts to lecture black men into voting for Kamala Harris were ultimately unsuccessful, and Michelle Obama’s podcast launch had underwhelming metrics. Issues in Ocasio-Cortez’s home district — like Roosevelt Avenue becoming a hot spot for rampant and blatant prostitution, solicitation and gang activity — also may come to haunt her, as residents have long condemned her lack of action. She’s also consistently positioned herself on the side of illegal immigrants — especially since Trump returning to office — despite Trump’s immigration policies being one of his most popular issues with voters.
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Yeah, right. Like I want advice on living my life, or how the country should be governed, from Cheers’ Cliff & Norm.
At this stage in the game, it is all about name recognition
AOC WILL NOT be running for President in 2028! She’s ineligible PLUS her political career is now over with!
It has often boggled mu mind about the intelligence of the voters in the United States, and surveys like this one confirm to me that we are collectively crazy as loons. Alexandria is a very attractive young woman that is also quite progressive and I would think that we have all had enough of the progressivism that have driven the United States into the ground on the way to becoming the same kind of third world hell hole that so many nations in Africa and the Middle East are, along with the deterioration of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The entire world is abandoning the priciples that made these countries as good as they were prior to the “fundamental change” of Barack Obama. Of course that started probably as soon as the Constitution was ratified, but it really picked up steam with Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, and Barack Obama. They are all progrssives which translates to Socialists and then on to Communists in the finest molds of Lenin, Stalin, Pol Pot, Xi Jinping, and Fidel Castro anong a lot of others. President Trump is at least attempting to turn it around a bit in the United States and in Argentina there is also a breath of fresh air in the person of Javier Milei. Maybe someday, the ignorance of the voters will abate some, but I don’t think I will hold my breath when they continue to elect the Alexandrias, and the other radically unAmaerican Congresswomen like IIhan Omar, Pramilla Jaypal, Jasmine Crockett, Rashid Tlaib, and of course those like Maxine Watters who have been in the political arena for way too long. Good luck folks, we are all going to need it!
YEAH, RIGHT! CAN YOU IMAGINE OUR COUNTRY BEING RUN BY THIS DIMWIT. IF AMERICA VOTES THIS PERSON IN, WE ARE REALLY DOOMED TO BECOME SECOND TIER. SHE IS SO UNINFORMED AND IT WILL BE TOTAL DESTRUCTION FOR AMERICA AND WE WILL NO LONGER BE AMONG ITS LEADERS. NO ONE IS GOING TO RESPECT THIS PERSON AS PRESIDENT AND THE DEMO’S DON’T CARE. JUST POWER.
Just shows you how bad things were the last four years. By doing nothing, AOC has floated to the top.
As for electing any democrats into office…..
We paid for that mistake dearly by electing the Manchurian candidate Joe Biden.
Who the hell did they poll? AOC and Michael Robinson ahead of Trump and Harris right behind? No way
“The poll surveyed 3,469 adults between May 21 and May 27 and has a margin of error of ±2 percentage points.” Since when do 3,469 people speak for an entire country of voters? When I get a call from a poll asking me about whom I would vote for, they first ask me what political party I am affiliated with, I get hung up on if I answer any party except Democrat.
Not buying it until I see the details of the poll. I’m already skeptical due to who they selected to ask about and who they left out. The Democrats on the list were AOC, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris. Why was Joe on the list? He’s yesterday’s news. He’ll never be running again for anything–much less President. Kamala just got whipped. Few in the party consider her a future candidate for President. Then they left off Gavin Newsom who clearly is positioning himself to run. Basically, they gave the Democrats only one person to pick.
What are the questions they asked to determine favorability? The pollsters are making the connection between this and being a serious candidate for President. Mother Teresa had a pretty high favorability rating. That doesn’t mean she’s a serious candidate to be President.
A confirmation of how utterly brainless and evil the Democrats are
Amazing how low these Americans will allow our nation to keep falling!!! Pretty soon these Americans will be calling upon the spirit of ADOLF HILTER to intercede their prayers for a win for AOC!!
Totally fake news, this reporter sure did not help his believability, by writing about the person, she is nut’s.