Ocasio-Cortez Pouts After Billionaire Pays Off Student Loans of Entire Graduating Class

“People shouldn’t be in a situation where they depend on a stranger’s enormous act of charity.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on Sunday pooh-poohed news that a billionaire commencement speaker had promised to pay off the student loans of the entire graduating class.

Robert Smith, 56, told Moorehouse College’s class of 2019 that he would cover their bills during his graduation speech Saturday on the Atlanta campus. Having just received an honorary degree from the historically black college, the hedge fund manager declared: “This is my class, and I know my class will pay this forward.”

The crowd erupted in cheers on hearing the pledge, which will collectively enrich the some 400 students to the tune of an estimated $40 million.

Ocasio-Cortez shared an article about Smith’s pledge on Twitter, and tried to use the feel-good moment to promote her calls for free public college. She suggested economists follow the students for 10 to 15 years and compare their “life choices” with those of their peers.

Every Morehouse Class of 2019 student is getting their student debt load paid off by their commencement speaker.

This could be the start of what’s known in Econ as a ‘natural experiment.’ Follow these students & compare their life choices w their peers over the next 10-15 years. https://t.co/UM1qTJOxHf

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 19, 2019

However, the democratic socialist followed up by pouting that “people shouldn’t be in a situation where they depend on a stranger’s enormous act of charity for this kind of liberation to begin with (aka college should be affordable).” Then, lest she sound like a sourpuss, she again praised Smith’s “incredible act of community investment.”

It’s important to note that people shouldn’t be in a situation where they depend on a stranger’s enormous act of charity for this kind of liberation to begin with (aka college should be affordable), but it is an incredible act of community investment in this system as it is. 🎓

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 19, 2019

Whereas leftists like Ocasio-Cortez see such generosity as unreliable, conservatives believe in philanthropy and community as alternatives to state-managed redistribution of wealth.

Smith – who according to Forbes, is worth $4.4 billion, making him the richest black person in the United States – in 2016 alone pledged $50 million to Cornell University, his alma matter, and $20 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He has donated to both Republicans and Democrats.

In addition to the joy of giving, Smith has been known to enjoy the sensual pleasures. In 2015, he married his second wife, 35-year-old former Playmate of the Year Hope Dworaczyk, in extravagant style.

WATCH HERE:

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Andrew Tobin is Pluralist’s Editor-in-chief.

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