Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez Denies Fentanyl Trafficking Rumor

A viral disinformation campaign falsely claimed that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's brother was arrested for fentanyl trafficking, identifying him incorrectly as 'Matthew.' The rumor originated from a satirical website and quickly spread on social media, particularly among right-wing audiences. Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez, AOC's actual brother, responded via TikTok, clarifying his real name, his work with the homeless, and his lack of any connection to the fabricated story. He warned about the dangers of viral misinformation, noting that even if only a small fraction believe such lies, the consequences can be serious and potentially dangerous. The original TikTok video was removed, and several creators who had shared the misinformation issued retractions. Gabriel has indicated plans to pursue legal action against those responsible for spreading the defamatory claim.