AOC Calls “Woke 1” Era “Crazy” as She Reframes Past Progressive Positions

In an interview with ABC’s *This Week* co-anchor Jonathan Karl, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) described the surge of radical progressive proposals during the COVID-19 lockdowns as “Woke 1” and called the period “crazy.” She noted Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong has “moved away” from earlier calls to abolish police and prisons and said she has not endorsed the race.

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“Woke 1” refers to the peak of radical progressive activism in 2020-2021, sparked by George Floyd’s murder and amplified by pandemic lockdowns. Councilmember Chi Ossé first used the phrase in a May 2026 social-media post. Since then Ocasio-Cortez has shifted toward community-based violence-intervention programs and federal aid for cities rather than outright budget cuts to law-enforcement agencies.

Newsweek

• May 2026 – Chi Ossé posts “Woke 1 was crazyyyy,” coining the term.

Washington Examiner

• July 2024 – UNH poll shows Ocasio-Cortez leading New Hampshire Democratic voters for the 2028 nomination with 22 % support.

Newsweek

• July 19-20 2024 – Emerson College poll records Ocasio-Cortez at 13 % of the Democratic primary field, behind Pete Buttigieg (19 %).

Newsweek

• July 15-21 2024 – McLaughlin & Associates poll puts her at 10 % support.

Newsweek

• August 2 2026 – Francesca Hong appears at a rally in Milwaukee.

New York Post

• UNH Survey (July 2024) – 22 % rank Ocasio-Cortez as top 2028 choice, edging Buttigieg (21 %).

Newsweek

• Emerson College (July 2024) – Ocasio-Cortez 13 %; Buttigieg 19 %; Newsom 17 %; Ossoff 13 %; Harris 8 %.

Newsweek

• McLaughlin & Associates (July 2024) – Ocasio-Cortez 10 %; Harris 28 %; Newsom 17 %.

Newsweek

• Prediction markets (Sept 2026) – Kalshi and Polymarket list her at roughly 15 % chance of winning the 2028 Democratic primary.

Newsweek

Ocasio-Cortez told Karl the “doors were really open” during lockdowns, allowing “any and every policy” to be debated, and she believes those discussions were “quite fruitful.” She emphasized that today’s conversation on crime “is fundamentally different” from the 2020 debate. When asked about endorsing Hong, she said, “No, I haven’t endorsed in that race. My focus has been in winning back the Congress.”

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Republican former New Jersey governor Chris Christie questioned the credibility of her shift, asking, “After listening to the congresswoman, why should anyone trust her?” Progressive commentator Briahna Joy Gray argued the remarks signal a retreat from core demands.

CNN

• “I actually think that the discussions that were had at that time were quite fruitful. I think that when we talk about crime today, it’s fundamentally different from the way we talked about crime and bringing crime down,” — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Newsweek

• “No, I haven’t endorsed in that race. My focus has been in winning back the Congress.” — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

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Ocasio-Cortez will continue to campaign for Democratic House and Senate candidates in the November midterms while monitoring the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary slated for early August 2026. Her statements keep the 2028 presidential speculation open, pending the outcomes of the 2026 primary contests and the evolving debate over the legacy of the “Woke 1” era.

What Does 'Woke 1' Mean? Origins of the Viral Phrase - NewsFire.GR