On August 11, 2026, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D–N.Y.) commented on how "crazy" the initial phase of the woke movement, often referred to as "Woke 1.0," became. This acknowledgment was discussed in a segment of Free Media featuring Senior Editor Robby Soave and Daily Caller Editor in Chief Amber Duke.

Soave and Duke argued that it is somewhat ironic for Ocasio-Cortez to dismiss the excesses of a cultural movement that caused tangible harm, especially given that many progressives, including herself, once helped bring those ideas into the mainstream.

The discussion highlights ongoing debates about the legacy and consequences of the woke movement in American politics and culture.

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