Yes
He is.
No
He isn’t.
President Donald Trump and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have represented dramatically different sides of American politics for years, so it isn’t surprising when the two political figures exchange criticism.
Ocasio-Cortez has become one of the country’s most recognizable progressive Democrats. Since arriving in Congress, she has advocated for ambitious government programs and progressive policies involving health care, climate, taxes, federal spending and the economy.
Those positions have frequently put her directly at odds with Trump and conservative Republicans.
Trump has never been shy about responding to his political opponents, and Ocasio-Cortez has repeatedly been among his targets. Their disagreements aren’t merely about personality. They reflect a much larger debate over how Americans believe the federal government should handle spending, taxation, debt and the economy.
For conservatives, the question of government spending has become particularly important as Washington continues debating the size and scope of the federal government. Republicans frequently argue that expensive federal programs eventually leave taxpayers footing the bill, while progressive Democrats contend that government investment can provide important economic and social benefits.
Trump recently took his criticism of Ocasio-Cortez further by questioning her ability to handle basic mathematics.
That’s obviously a sharp political insult, and Americans will have different opinions about whether Trump’s criticism is fair. Supporters may view the remark as another example of the president challenging progressive economic proposals that he believes don’t add up. Critics may argue that the comment focuses more on the person than on the substance of her policies.
Either way, the exchange highlights the enormous political divide between Trump and one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent progressive voices.
Now we want to know what voters think.