On the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cautioned her followers, stating that in her opinion, ‘this is 21st century fascism’.

Ahead of the former president’s return to the White House, the liberal Congresswoman utilized her Instagram story to address the recent TikTok ban, its subsequent restoration, engaging with her audience about these developments.

But she also went on to explain what she believes the ban – and the Republican party – really means for the nation.

‘Well, we are on the eve of an authoritarian administration’ she said. ‘This is what 21st century fascism is starting to look like.’

TikTok, the viral social media platform where billions created and shared short videos, officially went dark for American users on Saturday evening.

TikTok, a widely-used social media platform, initially notified its users regarding an abrupt shutdown that was originally scheduled to take place on Sunday.

‘A law banning the popular video sharing app has now been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you cant use TikTok for now, the message, which popped up when users attempted to log into the app, read. 

‘We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!’

After its dramatic shut down, AOC took to Instagram to break down the TikTok ban that she voted against in Congress and publicly opposed in March of 2024.

She emphasized the lack of evidence presented to Congress last year in regards to the app being a national security risk – overall questioning the rationale behind the ban.

‘I can tell you that what was presented to all of the members voting on this thing was not very compelling,’ she stated.

‘There was no real information that was given that was a smoking gun, that was anything specific… it was very vague, not convincing and frankly it was not convincing to many other members as well.’

Additionally, AOC advocated for addressing broader data privacy issues affecting all social media platforms, rather than just singling out one specific app. 

‘The answer is not just playing endless wack-a-mole with apps, the answer is that we should have real privacy legislation in the United States.’  

But just hours after AOC’s initial posts, TikTok confirmed that it’s working to restore the app while also thanking President-elect Trump for intervening just as the social media platform began to show its first signs of recovery. 

The company specifically credited Trump for providing ‘necessary clarity and assurance’ to service providers that they won’t face penalties for keeping the platform available to its American user base.

‘We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,’ the statement read.

‘It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.’

The development came after the app went dark following the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the nationwide ban to take effect early Sunday.

President-elect Donald Trump offered hope to devastated TikTok users, announcing he will sign an executive order on Monday to delay the ban on the popular app.

But AOC went back to Instagram shortly after to express her concerns surrounding the app’s restoration.

She read TikTok’s most recent statement, thanking Trump for his efforts that have allowed the nation to continue scrolling through the millions of short videos.

‘First of all, Donald Trump is not president right now,’ she stated. ‘He’s a private citizen. He does not have have access to presidential powers… he does not have the ability to do any of that.’

‘So like, please understand that TikTok’s decision to name Trump in the notification is a choice,’ she added.

‘They are signaling that they are privately collaborating with Donald Trump and the Trump administration.’

She went on to explain that the app’s notification effectively meant that every mass social media platform in the United States has been successfully taken over by the right-wing.

‘So what does this mean for us?’ AOC began in another Instagram story post.

While discussing that the ban is the start of what she would call ’21st century fascism’, she noted how Republicans really ‘model themselves after Orbán’s Hungary’.

AOC urged her followers to look into how Orbán runs Hungary – noting how it will give the country a taste of how the Republican party will try to govern and control media and companies.

‘This is a time of experimentation,’ she added. ‘A lot of people will still use platforms, can still use platforms, but I also look towards places where you have more ownership as well and develop your audiences there,’ the video concluded.

AOC has been a polarizing figure ever since she upset powerful establishment Democrat Joe Crowley in a primary in 2018, winning a seat in the House at just 29 years old.

In November, the Congresswoman fueled speculation that she is planning to embark on a run for president in 2028 following Trump’s term. 

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