President Donald Trump and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been at each other’s throats for years.
Their political warfare has been legendary in its viciousness.
And Trump gave AOC one compliment that no one saw coming.
Trump finds something nice to say about his biggest critic
During Trump’s appearance on Fox News’ new show "The Sunday Briefing," host Peter Doocy challenged the President with an unexpected request.
The veteran White House correspondent asked Trump if he could find anything positive to say about AOC – a woman who has made a career out of attacking him.
For a moment, Trump seemed genuinely stumped.
Here’s a guy who’s built his brand on never backing down from a political fight, suddenly asked to find common ground with someone who called him a "rapist" just months ago.
But Trump surprised everyone with his answer.
"Her philosophy’s so bad; she’s got a little spunk. She’s got a little something that’s good," Trump admitted during the interview.¹
You could almost hear the shock waves rippling through political Washington, D.C.
This is the same President who recently called AOC "Stupid AOC" and labeled her "one of the dumbest people in Congress" in a Truth Social post after she called for his impeachment over Iran airstrikes in June 2025.²
The President admits AOC has political talent
Trump didn’t just stop with a backhanded compliment.
He actually acknowledged AOC’s impressive 2018 primary victory that sent shockwaves through the Democrat establishment.
"[Former Rep.] Joe Crowley, she ran against him, and I said, ‘You know, Joe, you’re going to lose this thing unless you go out and campaign,’" Trump explained. "She’s got a little something but her philosophy is bad for the country."³
Consider what Trump accomplished with that strategic response.
AOC was working as a bartender when she defeated Joe Crowley – the fourth-ranking House Democrat and a powerful party insider.
That takes serious political instincts, even if you despise everything she stands for.
Trump recognizes raw political talent when he sees it, even in his enemies.
But he made sure to draw the line at her radical agenda.
"I don’t think her philosophy can come close to winning," Trump added, referring to reports that AOC is eyeing a presidential run in 2028.⁴
What this really reveals about Trump’s political strategy
Look, this wasn’t just Trump being gracious for the cameras.
This was strategic political positioning at its finest.
Think about what Trump accomplished with those few words.
He acknowledged AOC’s political skills while simultaneously dismissing her chances of ever winning nationally.
He complimented her "spunk" while making clear her "philosophy is bad for the country."
Trump even suggested he’d be "nice to AOC" if they ever met in person, saying "I’m basically a nice person. People just don’t know that."⁵
The timing here isn’t coincidental.
Reports suggest AOC is considering either a presidential campaign or a Senate run against Chuck Schumer in 2028.
By giving her backhanded praise now, Trump gets to look magnanimous while planting the seed that she’s too radical for mainstream America.
It’s the kind of political chess move that separates amateurs from professionals.
The radical Left still can’t handle Trump’s success
The most revealing aspect of this interview shows Trump’s supreme confidence in his political standing.
He can afford to be generous with his enemies because he knows he’s winning.
AOC has spent years calling Trump a fascist, a racist, and worse.
Just this past June, one day after Trump announced successful airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, AOC called for his impeachment, saying the actions were "absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment."⁶
Trump fired back by calling her "Stupid AOC" and challenging her to "Go ahead and try Impeaching me, again, MAKE MY DAY!"⁷
Yet here’s Trump, secure enough in his mandate to acknowledge her political abilities.
That’s not weakness – that’s the confidence of someone who knows the American people have rejected the radical leftist agenda AOC represents.
The President understands what AOC and her socialist allies still don’t get.
Americans want leaders who can work across the aisle when necessary, not ideological warriors who see every political opponent as an existential threat.
Trump’s willingness to find something positive to say about even his harshest critic shows the kind of leadership that wins elections.
Meanwhile, AOC and the radical Left are still fighting the same tired culture war battles that cost them everything in 2024.
¹ Ryan King, "Trump gives shock compliment to AOC as he reveals what he’d do if they meet," New York Post, September 21, 2025.
² "AOC tells Trump Bronx girls ‘eat Queens boys for breakfast’," Fox News, June 24, 2025.
³ Ryan King, "Trump gives shock compliment to AOC as he reveals what he’d do if they meet," New York Post, September 21, 2025.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ Ibid.
⁶ "AOC tells Trump Bronx girls ‘eat Queens boys for breakfast’," Fox News, June 24, 2025.
⁷ Ibid.
