Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has paid a left-leaning political merchandise firm more than $1.4 million this year alone so she can sell t-shirts, sweatshirts and other merchandise emblazoned with her name other slogans, including 'Tax the Rich' and 'Abolish ICE'.
The 31-year-old, who has become one of the most prominent progressive Democrats with her calls to tax the wealthy and fight climate change, is now investing heavily in her online store.
Her campaign paid Financial Innovations, a political merchandise firm, more than $1.4 million in the first six months of 2021, according to campaign disclosures to the Federal Election Commission late last week.
That figure is nearly double the total payments she has made to the same firm over the previous two years.
Financial Innovations, which is based in Cranston, Rhode Island, operates her online store and supplies the merchandise, which ranges from t-shirts and sweatshirts to hats, pins and socks.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has become one of the most prominent progressive Democrats with her calls to tax the wealthy and fight climate change, is now investing heavily in her online store
Her campaign paid Financial Innovations, a political merchandise firm, more than $1.4 million in the first six months of 2021 to help create items like this 'Tax the Rich' t-shirt
The company says 100 percent of its products are 'ethically' made in US factories.
It also says its products are made by union workers and sourced from companies owned by people of color, women and veterans.
It is not clear which factories or companies the products are sourced from.
The unions listed on its website include the Communications Workers of America and the United Steelworkers.
Financial Innovations has not responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment.
Financial Innovations, which has been around since 1984, specializes in political merchandise for Democrats and has been involved in campaigns for Elizabeth Warren, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Much of the merchandise on AOC's website feature her name, 'AOC' initials or slogans including 'Fight for our Future' and 'Drink Water & Don't Be Racist'.
She was forced to defend her merchandise last year after she was criticized for selling a 'Tax the Rich' sweatshirt for $58 with conservatives pointing out her anti-capitalist stance and her calls for a billionaires' tax in New York.
AOC argued at the time that the cost was justified because 'we don't use slave-wage labor'.
Political t-shirts and campaign swag were once a rarity on America's streets but that changed markedly over the last six years as Donald Trump supporters adopted his trademark red 'Make America Great Again' cap.
Given merchandise is considered a campaign contribution, only those who are US citizens or permanent residents can buy them. Despite this, one of AOC's most recent slogans is 'Abolish ICE'
Much of the merchandise on AOC's website feature her name, 'AOC' initials or slogans including 'Fight for our Future' and 'Drink Water & Don't Be Racist'
Financial Innovations, which is based in Cranston, Rhode Island, operates
