Ocasio-Cortez’s Responses Draw Criticism From SiriusXM Host

On Tuesday’s episode of “Straight Shooter with Stephen A.,” SiriusXM’s Stephen A. Smith expressed discomfort over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s lengthy and uncertain answers regarding Taiwan. This interaction occurred during the Munich Security Conference on February 13, where she faced a question about whether the U.S. should deploy troops to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.

In Smith’s view, her performance was subpar, noting that, despite her position, she should have been better prepared for such crucial topics. “Oh my god, it’s just embarrassing,” he remarked. “It’s not like they dragged her off the street in the Bronx… You went across the ocean to attend a conference to discuss foreign affairs.”

Smith continued, critiquing her lack of mention about China’s communist regime versus Taiwan’s democratic status, which he felt underscored her confusion. “Nothing. She seemed lost. I’m not saying she’s lost. I’m not doubting her intelligence. I’m saying that clip is bad!” he added.

The criticism surrounding Ocasio-Cortez’s comments spanned across the political spectrum. She had mentioned that the United States has a long-standing policy on such issues, stating, “We want to make sure we never get to that point.” She also emphasized the importance of continuing economic investigations to prevent conflicts.

Additionally, Ocasio-Cortez faced scrutiny for mistakenly referring to Venezuela’s geographical location during a TEDx event on February 15. In the same event, she attempted to challenge Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assertion regarding Spanish explorers bringing horses to Mexico, which added to the criticisms of her remarks.