Former President Donald Trump delivered a sharp critique of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Governor Gavin Newsom following their appearances at the Munich Security Conference, asserting their performances reflected poorly on the United States.
Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, specifically highlighted Ocasio-Cortez’s lengthy pause when questioned about potential U.S. military intervention in Taiwan. The nearly 20-second silence, he argued, revealed a troubling lack of preparedness on a critical geopolitical issue.
Beyond the hesitation, Trump also pointed to a factual error made by the New York Democrat, noting her claim that Venezuela is located below the equator. This misstatement, he suggested, underscored a broader pattern of unfamiliarity with basic global geography.
The former president contrasted Ocasio-Cortez and Newsom with Hillary Clinton, stating that despite his well-documented disagreements with her, Clinton possessed a level of competence he didn’t observe in the others. He characterized both Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez as “incompetent” during their responses to questions.
Trump further criticized Newsom’s record as governor of California, claiming he had “destroyed” the state. He admitted to rarely hearing Ocasio-Cortez speak extensively, making her struggles to answer questions all the more apparent to him.
Ocasio-Cortez, when directly asked about defending Taiwan, offered a circumspect response, emphasizing the importance of avoiding conflict with China and prioritizing diplomatic solutions. She framed the issue as one to be avoided rather than directly addressed with military force.
Her statement regarding Venezuela, made while criticizing the Trump administration’s approach to Nicolás Maduro, drew immediate attention for its geographical inaccuracy. She argued against the idea of “kidnapping a head of state” even from a nation she incorrectly placed south of the equator.
Trump concluded with a direct assessment on social media, labeling both Ocasio-Cortez and Newsom as an “embarrassment to our Nation” following their international appearances.
