Trump: ‘I don’t mind AOC that much’

President Trump said progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) doesn’t “bug” him much at a Sunday rally in Michigan.

While criticizing Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Mich.), a common foe for the president, Trump struck a more positive tone on Ocasio-Cortez, a popular Democrat and potential 2028 presidential candidate . Ocasio-Cortez is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and ally to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) who has been traveling across the country campaigning for Democrats and criticizing Trump and his administration.

“Somehow I don’t mind AOC that much,” Trump said, using Ocasio-Cortez’s nickname. “I don’t know why, she doesn’t bug me too much.”

Ocasio-Cortez is seen as a potential presidential candidate by Democrats looking to capitalize on the momentum and popularity of progressives like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D). She has said she will weigh whether or not to run for president after the midterm elections but made headlines when she indicated that 2028 might be her one plausible window for a presidential run.

“There’s an argument that some make that this is a very unique political window and, oftentimes in politics, you do only get one shot,” Ocasio-Cortez told The New York Times . “And you don’t — and just in life in general — life doesn’t wait for you to be ready for things. Sometimes life just makes things ready for you.”

The New York lawmaker has consistently polled strongly among the top Democrats weighing a run for the White House, and her decision could change the makeup of the 2028 race. A New York Times/Siena poll taken in mid-October found 6 percent of respondents would vote for Ocasio-Cortez in a primary, placing her behind former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

The presidency is not Ocasio-Cortez’s only option. She could decide to pass on a presidential run and challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for his Senate seat instead — or run for reelection in the House.