Rep. Ocasio-Cortez speaks at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Nuclear deterrence is set to be a hot topic at the conference. (Alex Kraus/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
She ultimately answered: "This is, of course, a very long-standing policy of the United States, and I think what we are hoping for is that we want to make sure that we never get to that point, and we want to make sure that we are moving in all of our economic research and our global positions to avoid any such confrontation and for that question to even arise."
Vice President JD Vance called the response "embarrassing," while social media corticis compared it to "Kamala cringe" or that she "SELF-DESTRUCTED" with her answer.
Ocasio-Cortez is seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender, with Trump's sharp critique of the left-wing Democrat lawmaker setting a tone for potential future campaign attacks.
Ocasio-Cortez made a point to downplay 2028 speculation during the security conference.
She said she joined the forum that attracts hundreds of world leaders, business titans and celebrities "not because I’m running for president, not because I’ve made some kind of decision about a horse race or a candidacy, but because we need to sound the alarm bells that a lot of those folks in nicely pressed suits in that room will not be there much longer if we do not do something about the runaway inequality that is fueling far-right populist movements."
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a working breakfast with governors in the State Dining Room at the White House on February 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
MOCKED IN MUNICH? WHY AOC WAS A MUCH BIGGER SUCCESS THAN HER CRITICS REALIZE
Trump has slammed the party for using the term, arguing sky-high inflation under the Biden era was caused by Democrat policies.
Trump took aim at Democrats again on Thursday for their message of affordability, claiming he hasn't heard the media specifically promote affordability in weeks because he "won affordability."
"I added $9 trillion, and your retirement accounts and 401 Ks are at the highest level they've ever been. And then I have to listen to the fake news talking about affordability. Affordability. Do you notice what word have you not heard over the last two weeks? Affordability. Because I've won, I've won affordability," he said on Thursday from Georgia.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Ocasio-Cortez's office for additional comment Friday afternoon.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-torches-stupid-aocs-munich-showing-tees-up-fresh-fight-progressive-democrats