Ousted Rep. Cori Bush Blasts AIPAC After Primary Loss: ‘I’m Coming to Tear Your Kingdom Down’

Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), recently defeated in her re-election primary, took to social media to express her frustration with AIPAC, a pro-Israel PAC that supported her opponent, St. Louis County District Attorney Wesley Bell. Bush, a prominent member of the progressive “Squad,” voiced her anger following her loss, marking her as the second member of the Squad to face defeat after Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) lost his primary last month.

In her post-election remarks, Bush criticized AIPAC, claiming that her defeat has only intensified her resolve. “Leaving Congress just means shedding some strings and freeing me to take more radical actions,” she declared. “They’re about to see this other Cori, this other side,” she warned, emphasizing that her new path would involve significant opposition to AIPAC’s influence.

Bush’s opponent, Wesley Bell, had attacked her for comments perceived as lacking an understanding of the complex Israel-Palestine issue. According to left-leaning news outlet Sludge, nearly two-thirds of Bell’s campaign funds were sourced from AIPAC, with its super PAC, United Democracy Project, reportedly spending over $7 million to support Bell and oppose Bush.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) echoed concerns about AIPAC’s influence, calling for a discussion on how a predominantly Republican-funded organization plays a divisive role within the Democratic Party. She made these remarks after also winning her primary on the same night as Bowman’s defeat.

AIPAC has defended its position, stating it is a significant supporter of Democratic candidates and leadership. “We support a broad range of Democratic members, including progressives, who have supported pro-Israel stances,” AIPAC stated. They argue that their involvement aligns with progressive values and contributes to strengthening U.S.-Israel relations.

Bush’s defeat comes amid ongoing scrutiny over her handling of campaign finances, with investigations from the Justice Department, Federal Election Commission, and House Ethics Committee into her husband’s payments as part of her security detail. Social media reactions to her primary loss have been largely supportive of her opponent, signaling a shift in the political landscape.