Overview

• A viral rumor falsely claimed that Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's brother, was involved in a $1.2 million fentanyl trafficking ring.
• The false allegation originated from a satirical news site and was amplified through social media posts misidentifying Gabriel as 'Matthew.'
• Gabriel Ocasio-Cortez denied the claim in TikTok videos, clarifying his name, his work with the homeless, and his lack of any connection to the fabricated story.
• He warned of the potential dangers of such misinformation, noting that even a small percentage of believers could lead to radicalized actions.
• Gabriel has threatened legal action against those perpetuating the false claims, emphasizing the seriousness of spreading slanderous misinformation.