Ocasio-Cortez Urges Big Tech Breakup After Apple Price Hikes

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has called on Congress to break up large technology companies, specifically naming Apple Inc., following a series of product price increases. On June 25, 2026, Apple raised prices for the majority of its Mac and iPad lineup by $100 to $300, with some increases ranging from 15% to 25%. Outgoing CEO Tim Cook described the price hikes as unavoidable, attributing them to a global memory shortage he called a hundred-year flood.

The shortage stems from the rapid expansion of AI data centers, which consume high-bandwidth memory and prompt suppliers like Samsung and SK Hynix to redirect production away from conventional DRAM used in consumer electronics. In response to these costs, Apple is lobbying the U.S. government to permit business with blacklisted Chinese memory suppliers. Market reaction was negative, with Apple's stock dropping from $301 to $283.78 per share over one week, while competitor Dell saw its stock fall over 8%.

Ocasio-Cortez argued that tech giants possess unchecked power and behave as if they are governments, necessitating antitrust actions and stronger consumer protections. She further criticized the 2022 CHIPS Act for failing to anticipate the energy and supply demands of AI data centers, noting that these centers currently receive government subsidies despite their significant environmental impact.