AOC Asked to Explain Use of Funds Meant for Thanksgiving Turkeys

January 10, 2026 by Nadia

The fundraising appeal, delivered via email to supporters in early November, was presented with the hallmarks of a charitable drive. The messaging emphasized the spirit of Thanksgiving, evoked imagery of families sharing holiday meals, and highlighted the pressing need to provide turkeys, groceries, and essential supplies to those experiencing food insecurity.

In past years, similar appeals had explicitly partnered with nonprofit organizations, detailing the number of families served and providing clear avenues for donors to contribute to tangible aid efforts.

The structure, tone, and imagery of this year’s email closely mirrored those prior campaigns, creating an expectation that donations would similarly support hunger relief.

However, the mechanics of this year’s campaign differed in a significant and subtle way. Supporters who clicked the donation link in the email were directed to ActBlue, a widely used platform for Democratic campaign fundraising.