Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced criticism after appearing to alter her speaking style during a campaign rally in Memphis last week.
The New York Democrat spoke at a Friday event supporting progressive congressional candidate Justin Pearson, a Tennessee state representative.
"We cannot afford to leave Tennessee behind," she told the crowd. "We cannot afford to leave Kentucky behind, Alabama behind, Mississippi behind, Georgia behind, South Carolina behind. There is no country where we are split apart."
She also referenced a recent trip to Montgomery, Alabama, with Representative Ayanna Pressley, stating it was "time for the North to roll up to the South."
Social media users accused the congresswoman of adopting a "fake accent" tailored to the Southern, predominantly Black audience.
Several public figures joined the criticism, with one actor comparing her delivery to a Southern Baptist preacher and a conservative strategist calling the pattern "patronizing."
Another user alleged she was emulating former Vice President Kamala Harris, who faced similar accusations of shifting her accent based on audience.
Harris was previously criticized for her speech at a 2024 Atlanta rally, a Detroit Labor Day event, and a 2021 visit to a COVID laboratory in France.
The congresswoman's office was contacted regarding the allegations but had not issued a public response at the time of reporting.
