In September 2024, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made headlines for an unexpected act of roadside assistance on Capitol Hill. When Evan Hollander, an aide and driver for Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), found himself stranded with a dead car battery, it was Ocasio-Cortez—not AAA—who came to the rescue. Her chief of staff, Mike Casca, shared a photo of her working under the hood, captioned, “When your car battery expires on the Capitol plaza, instead of calling AAA you just need @AOC.” The post quickly went viral, with millions of views and mixed reactions across social media. Supporters praised her hands-on attitude, calling her faster than AAA, while others questioned why a Capitol Hill aide couldn’t handle jumper cables himself.

Critics also mocked the photo for showing two Capitol Police officers and Hollander standing by as Ocasio-Cortez did the work, prompting jabs about “beta males” and staged optics. Skeptics accused the scene of being orchestrated to boost her image, with some suggesting it was a publicity stunt rather than a spontaneous act of kindness. Still, whether viewed as authentic or strategic, the moment underscored Ocasio-Cortez’s knack for capturing attention online. Her ability to turn everyday events into viral content continues to fuel both admiration and controversy, reinforcing her prominent role in the political and cultural spotlight.