WASHINGTON — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive Democrat from New York, pushed back against criticism of her recent appearance at the Munich Security Conference, insisting in a New York Times interview that her remarks were well-received by European audiences despite a series of verbal stumbles that drew widespread mockery.
The conference, held annually in Munich, Germany, brings together global leaders to discuss security issues, and Ocasio-Cortez's participation on February 17, 2026, marked a notable step in her efforts to establish foreign policy credentials. In the interview with New York Times reporter Kellen Browning, published Tuesday, the 36-year-old congresswoman argued that the focus on her missteps overlooked the core message of her warnings about authoritarianism. “To Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, the discourse about her visit had missed the more important point about the risks of authoritarianism — an argument that she said had been well-received by the Europeans during two foreign policy panels, private meetings with German leaders and an address in a packed university auditorium in Berlin,” Browning wrote.
Ocasio-Cortez specifically addressed the backlash, claiming that conservatives were fixating on minor moments to undermine her broader points. “Ocasio-Cortez, 36, argued that conservatives seized on ‘any five-to-10-second thing’ from her gaffe-filled remarks in an effort to ‘distract from the substance of what I am saying,’” according to the Times account. She described the positive reception she received in private settings and panels, contrasting it with what she portrayed as amplified online criticism.
The Munich event, which took place over the weekend leading up to February 17, featured Ocasio-Cortez in high-profile discussions on transatlantic relations and global threats. However, her performance quickly became a lightning rod for ridicule, particularly after a clip circulated showing her struggling to respond to a question about U.S. commitment to defending Taiwan against a potential Chinese invasion. In the moment, lasting nearly 20 seconds, she appeared to falter, saying, “Um, you know, I think that this is such a, you know, I think that this is, this is of course a very longstanding policy of the United States,” as she searched for words.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking on Fox News' “The Story with Martha MacCallum” on Tuesday, labeled the response as “embarrassing” and urged Ocasio-Cortez to prepare more thoroughly. “I think [Ocasio-Cortez is] a person who doesn’t know what she actually thinks,” Vance said. “And I have seen this way too much in Washington with politicians, where they are given lines, and when you ask them to go outside the lines they were given, they completely fall apart, because, look, does AOC — does anybody really believe that AOC has very thoughtful ideas about the global world order or about what the United States should do with our policy in Asia or our policy in Europe? No, this is a person who is mouthing the slogans that somebody else gave her.” Vance suggested she “ought to go read a book about China and Taiwan” before returning to international stages.
Other incidents from the conference fueled the online firestorm. Ocasio-Cortez reportedly claimed that Venezuela is located “below the equator,” a geographical error that prompted swift corrections from fact-checkers and social media users. She also struggled to identify the biggest change former President Donald Trump made to American foreign policy during his term, and in a panel discussion, she challenged Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assertion that the American cowboy archetype originated from Spanish vaqueros, suggesting otherwise without providing specifics.
Conservative commentators were quick to pile on. Charles C. W. Cooke, writing in National Review, dismissed Ocasio-Cortez's defenses outright. “One could dissect her words for the next ten years straight, with the best of intentions, and still one would not glean anything coherent or useful from them,” Cooke wrote. He added, “This wasn’t the fault of ‘conservative social media’ or ‘rocketing’ or ‘speculation’; it was the fault of Ocasio-Cortez herself, who went to a security conference, was asked questions about security, and fell flat on her face at the first hurdle.”
The New York Times interview itself drew criticism for what some saw as overly sympathetic framing. Richard Grenell, a Trump administration official, posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Some guy named Kellen is running a PR campaign for AOC’s presidential strategy while saying he’s a reporter. Pro tip, Kellen: if you use the phrase far-right then AOC is far-left.” Grenell, who served as acting director of national intelligence under Trump, highlighted what he viewed as biased language in Browning's reporting.
Even some journalists not aligned with conservative outlets expressed skepticism about Ocasio-Cortez's complaints. Rachel Bade, a Politico reporter, wrote on X, “The most surprising thing [about] all this is her apparent surprise that she’s being scrutinized … . Her complaints in the story seem pretty whiny & only gave her critics more fodder.” Veteran reporter Chris Cillizza quipped on the platform, “Clean up on aisle AOC.” Fox News political analyst Guy Benson went further, stating, “Her performance, for which she reportedly prepared for months(!), was a disastrous embarrassment.”
Browning's piece in the Times noted Ocasio-Cortez's reputation as a sharp communicator, describing her usual quick-witted style and acknowledging the “striking” nature of her missteps at Munich. The congresswoman, a member of the progressive “Squad” since her upset victory in 2018, has built a national profile through advocacy on issues like the Green New Deal and climate change. Her trip to Munich, reportedly prepared over months, was seen by observers as an attempt to broaden her expertise beyond domestic policy.
The conference itself, attended by figures from more than 50 countries, focused on topics like NATO's future, U.S.-Europe relations under the current administration, and tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Ocasio-Cortez participated in two panels and held private meetings with German officials, culminating in a speech at a Berlin university auditorium described as packed. According to her, these interactions underscored the resonance of her anti-authoritarianism message amid rising global concerns over leaders like those in Russia and China.
Despite the positive feedback she claimed from Europeans, the U.S. domestic reaction was overwhelmingly negative from right-leaning circles. Social media clips of her gaffes amassed millions of views within hours, with hashtags like #AOCinMunich trending on X. The episode echoes past controversies for Ocasio-Cortez, such as her 2019 congressional hearing on climate where she faced similar scrutiny, though those centered more on policy than delivery.
Ocasio-Cortez used the Times interview to distance herself from speculation about higher office. The trip has been widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential bid, given her rising star status within the Democratic Party. However, she denied any such ambitions, saying, “If I were running — if I had made a decision or anything about being president, or Senate, or anything like that — frankly, I say this all the time: Am I acting like someone who is trying to run? No! Because I’m there for a very different, specific purpose.” She emphasized her focus on substantive policy work rather than personal advancement.
As the dust settles, the Munich appearance could have lasting implications for Ocasio-Cortez's image on the world stage. While she maintains that European counterparts appreciated her insights, the viral gaffes have reinforced narratives among critics that she lacks depth in foreign affairs. Political analysts suggest this could complicate her path if she eyes national leadership, though supporters argue it's a distraction from pressing issues like democratic backsliding.
Looking ahead, Ocasio-Cortez is scheduled to return to Capitol Hill for votes on foreign aid packages, including support for Ukraine and Taiwan. Her office has not responded to additional requests for comment beyond the Times interview. Meanwhile, the broader conversation at Munich continues to influence U.S. policy debates, with echoes of the conference shaping discussions in Washington as lawmakers grapple with America's role in an increasingly volatile world.