Trump slams AOC and Gavin Newsom as ‘incompetent’: ‘Bad look for our country’
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Monday, February 16, criticized Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and California Gov Gavin Newsom for speaking at the Munich Security Conference, calling their appearances a “bad look” for the United States.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he watched both Democrats participate in panels at the high-profile European gathering and was unimpressed with their responses to foreign policy questions.
Trump slams AOC, Newsom at Munich Conference
Trump first targeted Ocasio-Cortez, commonly known as AOC, over her remarks in Munich. “I watched AOC answering questions in Munich - this was not a good look for the United States,” Trump said, referring to the New York congresswoman.
He then turned to Newsom, using a derisive nickname while criticizing his performance at the conference. “I watched Gavin Newscum answering questions in Munich, and this was a bad look for our country,” he said.
The president added, “These two people are incompetent,” before comparing them to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. “and at least Hillary is competent. She’s just Trump deranged.”
“She was so deranged,” Trump said of Clinton, describing her as an “angry woman.” Clinton also appeared at the Munich forum, where she participated in a panel discussion on global security issues.
Trump defends record, praises Marco Rubio in Munich
Returning to his criticism of the two Democrats, Trump said, “I watched the other two speaking and answering basic questions … look, Gavin has destroyed California and AOC, I never really got to - I never heard her speak very much.”
“And they started answering questions … she had no idea what was happening. She had no idea how to answer, you know, very important questions concerning the world, but she can’t answer questions concerning New York City, either.”
Ocasio-Cortez spoke on multiple panels during the conference, an appearance widely seen as an effort to expand her foreign policy credentials ahead of a possible 2028 presidential or Senate bid. Newsom’s participation marked his third major international appearance in recent months, following events in Davos and Brazil.
In Munich, Newsom sharply criticized Trump’s climate policies. “Never in the history of the United States of America has there been a more destructive president than the current occupant of the White House in Washington, DC,” Newsom said. “Donald Trump is trying to turn back the clock.”
Trump, meanwhile, praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his performance at the conference. “Marco did a great job in Munich,” the president said, noting he had received “very good reviews.”
