AOC slammed for saying Trump wants to 'make sure kids are dying' with govt shutdown

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tied the shutdown directly to health care access, saying it’s 'about people being able to insure their children'
PUBLISHED OCT 5, 2025
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made the accussation against Donald Trump during an MSNBC appearance (Getty Images)
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made the accussation against Donald Trump during an MSNBC appearance (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Democrat firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced quite a backlash for claiming that President Donald Trump “one day” decided to “just make sure that kids are dying,” all while the government remains in shutdown limbo.

During an MSNBC appearance, Ocasio-Cortez revealed what she believes is really behind the government funding fight. The New York representative tied the shutdown directly to health care access, saying it’s “about people being able to insure their children.”

“I will say, because I saw some senators speculating about this, and I saw some Republican members of Congress saying, ‘Oh, well, if we have this shutdown, it’s because of AOC,’” she told the network.

“Well, if that’s the case, my office is open and you are free to walk in and negotiate with me directly, because what I’m not going to do is tolerate four million uninsured Americans because Donald Trump decided one day that he wants to just make sure that kids are dying because they don’t have access to insurance,” she continued.



 

Internet slams AOC's 'stupid commentary' on government shutdown

Netizens had some choice words for the congresswoman over her latest comments on Donald Trump and the government shutdown.

"I’ve died 17 times because of Trump and DOGE cuts," one quipped on X.

"This is the kind of stupid commentary you can expect to hear from absolute morons like @AOC," another wrote.

"AOC’s script never changes: accuse Trump of wanting kids to die, no matter the policy. It’s pure scare theater. Funny how every time funding is cut from bloated agencies, we’re told it’s 'the end of the world,' yet life goes on," a comment read.

"Sorry Mamacita, This one is on you for wanting fund illegal aliens healthcare with American tax dollars," someone else snarked.

Another expressed, "She is the least productive member of Congress, although she has a ton of competition from her brain-dead left wing of the Democrats."



 



 



 



 



 

White House fires back

The White House didn’t waste time responding to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s charge.

“If AOC really cared about America’s kids, she would stop drumming up baseless hysteria and tell her fellow Democrats to reopen the federal government and restore confidence for the millions of children who rely on WIC and other federal programs," spokesperson Kush Desai told the New York Post.

Desai’s rebuttal came as the shutdown drags on, with no deal in sight. Lawmakers failed to extend funding before the deadline on Wednesday, October 1, triggering a massive freeze in government operations.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday said “thousands” of federal workers would be terminated during the gap. Meanwhile, Trump himself was optimistic about the standoff.

U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaks to the media as he departs the White House on July 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to speak at an artificial intelligence and energy summit. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump, joined by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaks to the media as he departs the White House on July 15, 2025, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity," he posted on Truth Social. "They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

The President also revealed he was meeting with Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to decide which “Democrat Agencies” would face “temporary or permanent” cuts.

AOC makes bank amid shutdown impasse

For all the controversy, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s political campaign is running full steam ahead. The 35-year-old congresswoman has raked in more cash than any other House member this year. It reportedly amounts to a jaw-dropping $15.4 million, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Her fundraising haul has only intensified speculation that AOC’s sights are set higher. Some Democrats whisper she could challenge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his New York seat. Others think she’s already eyeing the Oval Office with a 2028 presidential run.

She does have the polling advantage. A new Pew Research Center survey of nearly 3,500 US adults found that 50 percent hold an unfavorable view of Schumer, while only 21 percent view him favorably. Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez remains one of her party’s most popular faces, especially among younger and progressive voters.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 24: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) leaves after speaking to abortion-rig
Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) leaves after speaking to abortion-rights activists in front of the US Supreme Court after the Court announced a ruling in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization case on June 24, 2022, in Washington, DC (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

That said, both parties are digging in their heels as the shutdown stretches on. Republicans say Democrats are refusing to fund the government unless taxpayer money goes toward “free health care for illegal aliens.” Democrats, in turn, argue they’re fighting to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and won’t pass a reconciliation bill without GOP cooperation.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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