Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has delivered a stark public rebuke to Fox News, refusing an invitation to appear on host Jesse Watters' programme and accusing him of having sexually harassed her on television.
A Capitol Hill Confrontation
The dramatic exchange occurred on Wednesday 8 January 2026 on Capitol Hill. A man, later identified by Mediaite as Jesse Watters Primetime producer Johnny Belisario, approached the New York Democrat and extended an invitation to join Watters' show. The interaction was captured on video by journalist Pablo Manríquez.
When asked if she would join the show, Ocasio-Cortez responded forcefully. "He has sexualized me on his show. He has sexually harassed me on his show. He has engaged in horrific, sexually exploitive rhetoric," she stated. Belisario interjected, claiming "That's not true congresswoman," but Ocasio-Cortez was unequivocal in her rebuttal.
The Source of the Allegation
The congresswoman pinpointed a specific incident from October as the basis for her accusation. She referenced comments Watters made on The Five, a Fox News programme he co-hosts, where he said, "I think AOC wants to sleep with Miller," referring to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
"It is true because he accused me…of wanting to quote, unquote, sleep with Stephen Miller. So why don't you tell me what you think is acceptable to tell a woman? Thank you," Ocasio-Cortez said before walking away from the producer.
Background and Viral Fallout
Watters' original remark was a response to the congresswoman's own criticism. In an Instagram livestream, Ocasio-Cortez had encouraged Democrats to mock the "insecure masculinity" of MAGA supporters and labelled Miller a "clown," making a joke about his stature. Miller later retorted to Fox News' Laura Ingraham, "Well, we knew that her brain didn't work. Now we know her eyes don't work."
The clip of the Capitol Hill confrontation was shared online by MeidasTouch and quickly went viral, amassing approximately three million views on X. Ocasio-Cortez amplified her stance on the platform, writing, "You can either be a pervert or ask me to be on your little show. Not both. Good luck!"
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between progressive politicians and certain media outlets, framing a serious allegation of sexual harassment within the highly charged arena of US political broadcasting.
