AOC insists 'tax the rich' sweatshirt sold on her website is worth its $58 price tag because 'we don't use slave-wage labor' - as she bashes Trump-supporting critics by saying 'ours is made in the US'

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has hit back at critics who slammed her for selling a $58 sweatshirt with the slogan 'tax the rich' - arguing the cost is justified because 'we don't use slave-wage labor'.

The Democratic socialist, 31, defended her now sold out sweater Thursday and took a swipe at Donald Trump and his supporters saying the difference between her merchandise and his MAGA gear is that 'ours is made in the US'.

AOC, who enjoys a six-figure congressional income, had shared a link to the blue jersey on Twitter Wednesday evening, writing: 'Preorders are open now. As always, made in the US with dignified, union jobs paying living wages.' 

But she immediately faced a backlash online as social media users questioned the price tag, given AOC's anti-capitalist stance and her calls for a billionaires' tax in New York. 

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has hit back at critics who slammed her for selling a $58 sweatshirt with the slogan 'tax the rich' arguing the cost is justified because 'we don't use slave-wage labor'

The US Representative for New York's 14th congressional district clapped back insisting the price tag is worth it and retweeting a post from one person who argued 'that's what it costs to pay everyone a decent wage along the way'.   

'Republicans are freaking out bc we don't use slave-wage labor for merch that funds grassroots organizing,' she wrote Thursday. 

'But what's the difference between Trump's merch and ours? Ours is made in the US (& for GOP who joke that we shld give for free, we actually do - just volunteer.'

In a follow-up tweet she then added: 'Oh, and by the way: Tax the Rich.' 

Her jibe at Trump comes as the president has long campaigned for bringing manufacturing back from overseas locations to US soil.

And his MAGA merchandise is labeled with the phrase 'proudly made in the USA.'

However claims have long circulated that the signature red hats are made in China rather than in America.

Official MAGA merchandise is '100% proudly made in the USA' according to his campaign site, but many supporters sell and wear unofficial versions at his rallies - a lot of which has been manufactured outside the US.    

AOC's merchandise is '100%' made in the USA and is 'union printed', her website states.   

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been widely ridiculed for selling a $58 sweatshirt with the slogan 'tax the rich'

The democratic socialist, 31, who enjoys a six-figure congressional income, shared a link to the now sold out jersey Wednesday evening, writing: 'Preorders are open now. As always, made in the US with dignified, union jobs paying living wages'

But social media users pointed out the irony of calling for higher taxes for the rich while flogging a sweater many people on lower incomes cannot afford. 

Author and podcaster Ben Shapiro wrote: 'Only the rich can afford this idiotic sweatshirt.'

Others noted the pricey piece was the 'most AOC thing ever' and said they 'couldn't afford' the clothing. 

Reporter Mary Margaret Olohan tweteed: 'Hey AOC I can't afford this sweatshirt right , you got a coupon code for the non-rich?'  

Opinion writer Eddie Zipperer said: 'Selling a $58 sweatshirt to own the capitalists is the most AOC thing ever.'

The shirt had first appeared online for $65 but appears to have since been marked down by seven dollars.  

@MattsIdeaShop tweeted: 'AOC is selling $65 dollar sweatshirts that say 'tax the rich' that only rich ppl can afford. Should just say 'Tax Me.''

'When you're aiming for socialism but you hit capitalism' 

Twitter user Lisa Boothe wrote '$58 for a sweatshirt that says 'Tax the Rich'' followed by a series of laughing face emojis. Another, Danny Malouf, added: 'I like capitalism when it's convenient.' 

User Daniel Tobin tweeted: 'Nothing says 'I fight for the little guy' like charging $65 for a sweatshirt.'  

The cost of the blue sweater was noted by many online, particularity given AOC has become one of the most well-known voices of the American left

Young Americans for Liberty said: 'A $60 dollar sweatshirt sold by a socialist attacking capitalism really is peak irony.'  

@RyanGirdusky said: 'AOC has a store where she's selling shirts... otherwise known as capitalism.'

Podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey said: 'Capitalism is amazing, isn't it?'

@BoMollyLove tweeted: 'Wish I could afford this.'  

Other items for sale on the site include a t-shirt with the slogan 'Drink water & don't be racist', retailing for $27, and a $28 cap with 'abolish ICE' on it. 

Proceeds from the merch goes to AOC's campaign. 

Barack Obama said in an interview that aired Wednesday that 'socialism' is still too 'loaded' of a word for Democrats to embrace, but he defended figures who identify themselves as such like AOC.

'Socialism is still a loaded term for a lot of folks. Once again, instead of talking labels and ideology, we should focus on talking about getting certain things done,' Obama told Snapchat's 'Good Luck America' host Peter Hamby in part one of a three-part interview.  

AOC  used her 60-second speaking slot at the Democratic Convention to nominate Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders as president

Other items for sale on the site include a t-shirt with the slogan 'Drink water & don't be racist', retailing for $27, and a $28 cap with 'abolish ICE' on it. Proceeds from the merch goes to AOC's campaign

The former president said Rep. Ocasio-Cortez should get more of a platform within the Democratic Party because she resonates with younger people 'even if they don't agree with everything she says.' 

'The Democratic National Convention I thought was really successful considering the pandemic. But, the fact that an AOC only got, what? Three minutes or five minutes?' Obama lamented.

'She speaks to a broad section of young people who are interested in what she has to say, even if they don't agree with everything she says,' he added. 'New blood is always good. And I say that as somebody who used to be the young, shiny cool guy. But now is the gray-haired old grizzled vet.'

AOC has been been leading the charge on progressive initiatives, including on climate and environmental issues and healthcare.