Special Poll
Trump Praises Ocasio-Cortez for Her “Good Spark”
Former President Donald Trump offered unexpected praise for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) during an interview on Monday with internet personality Adin Ross on the platform Kick.
- Interview Setting: In a casual interview, Ross showed Trump photos of various celebrities and lawmakers, asking for his reactions. When Ocasio-Cortez’s photo appeared, Trump initially called her “fake” but quickly changed his tune.
- Complimentary Remarks: Trump remarked, “She’s got a spark that’s pretty amazing actually. She’s got a good spark. I’ll change it. I’ll say spark.” He acknowledged her appeal, comparing her to Eva Perón, the former first lady of Argentina, known for her charisma and influence.
- Political Savvy: Trump claimed he had warned aides to former Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) during his 2018 primary campaign that Ocasio-Cortez could be a formidable opponent. Crowley lost that primary to Ocasio-Cortez, who has since become a prominent political figure.
- Past Tensions: Despite this praise, Trump has frequently criticized Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the progressive Squad. In 2019, he infamously suggested that some Democratic lawmakers should “go back” to the countries they came from, a remark widely condemned as racist.
- Ocasio-Cortez’s Stance: Ocasio-Cortez has been a steadfast critic of Trump since her election to Congress in 2018. Recently, she pledged her full support to Vice President Harris after President Biden ended his reelection campaign, emphasizing the need for unity to defeat Trump and protect American democracy.
Trump’s comments highlight an unusual moment of bipartisanship praise, despite their historically contentious relationship.