Radio host Charlamagne tha God criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday, saying she was avoiding a direct answer about House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ run for speaker. He argued that instead of explaining how leadership contests work, she should say plainly whether she thinks Jeffries should be challenged.
On the podcast “The Brilliant Idiots,” Charlamagne said Ocasio-Cortez’s explanation sounded like a civics lesson. He suggested she was trying to express opposition to Jeffries without stating it outright.
Ocasio-Cortez had posted a social media video explaining how lawmakers enter leadership races. She urged viewers to ask whom their representatives actually support, noting that the speaker and other leadership contests were currently uncontested.
Charlamagne questioned whether that explanation addressed progressives’ concerns about Jeffries, especially his position on military assistance to Israel. He also challenged lawmakers who have described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide to explain how they could support leaders they believe would continue those policies.
Ocasio-Cortez was among lawmakers listed on a November 2025 resolution seeking recognition of genocide in Gaza. Jeffries, who announced his speaker bid after the midterms, said Wednesday that lawmakers would work together to reconsider how assistance to Israel is provided. He added that significant change was needed and said he had made that position clear, including in a July letter to the Democratic caucus.
Incoming lawmakers are also weighing their support. Rep.-elect Adam Hamawy, a New Jersey Democrat, said he remained undecided and would not automatically endorse a candidate. Rep. Wesley Bell, a Missouri Democrat and member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said he fully supported Jeffries.
