Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Takes a Dig at Donald Trump Over His Comments on Americans’ Finances

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took a sharp dig at Donald Trump over his recent comments about the financial situation in America, which drew significant criticism. Trump has faced pushback after saying he does not "think about" the financial situation in the U.S.

As Trump addressed reporters on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, before boarding Air Force One, a reporter asked whether the current financial situation in the country was motivating him to secure a peace deal amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. Trump dismissed the question and said he was not focused on America's financial situation.

He said, "Not even a little bit. I don't think about the Americans' financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's all. That's the only thing that motivates me."

Ocasio-Cortez was asked to respond to Trump's remarks by a group of reporters on Tuesday as she was walking down the stairs of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. A reporter asked her, "What do you make of Trump saying that he doesn't think about America's financial situation?"

Ocasio-Cortez said, "I don't see how he has time to think about the financial prospects of the American working class when he's focused on enriching himself."

Ocasio-Cortez's comments prompted a mixed response on social media. Some users agreed with her while also criticizing Trump.

One user wrote, "AOC gets a lot of hate. Not because she is a bad person or has bad politics. But because she puts a magnifying glass over every corrupt person in Washington, D.C." Another user said, "A lot of people don't like her because she is right." A third wrote, "Everything coming out of Alexandria's mouth is pure FIRE, she needs to run this country." Another added, "AOC always says the right thing. She is really good."

Trump supporters also criticized Ocasio-Cortez for her comment, with some raising her previous career as a bartender before she entered politics.

One user wrote, "Trump was already a billionaire before he came into office. If his goal was to enrich himself beyond how he was already rich, he didn't need to be the President to do that. Most in his shoes wouldn't put up with what he is putting up to be a President if more money were the only motivation. She's more focused on enriching herself in the Government than she accuses others of. The bartending gig wasn't going to get her there."

Another user wrote, "How is he enriching himself? He donates his salary and personally pays for improvements at the White House and has given up living a luxurious life that he could have easily afforded." A third user added, "She doesn't even know what countries are above and below the quarter, yet you want her to understand Trump."

According to The Hill, Ocasio-Cortez had also criticized Trump the previous month over his time spent on the golf course. She told reporter Pablo Manriquez, "You know, obviously, it's awful that this guy's playing golf, but, in a way, we're already seeing that some of the most important military decision-makers in the country are trying to keep him out of consequential decisions."