‘YOU’RE ALL NUTS’: O’Leary calls out CNN panel for protecting AOC’s mistakes in Munich
In a fiery exchange on CNN's "NewsNight" last night, "Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary clashed with fellow panelists over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (D-NY) widely criticized performance at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) held from February 13-15 in Germany.
The MSC, an annual high-profile forum attended by global leaders, diplomats, and policymakers to discuss international security issues, featured Ocasio-Cortez as part of a Democratic delegation alongside figures like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Arizona Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly.
O'Leary, a Canadian businessman known for his conservative-leaning commentary and support for President Trump, dismissed defenses of AOC, bluntly stating, "She was terrible. Get over it!" and rejecting the incident as non-partisan.
The debate escalated as host Abby Phillip highlighted potential double standards, playing clips of Trump's own foreign policy gaffes, such as confusing world leaders or misstating historical facts, to argue that AOC's missteps were being disproportionately scrutinized.
Ocasio-Cortez's appearance drew backlash for several flubs, including incorrectly claiming Venezuela lies "below the equator" (it is predominantly north of it) during a discussion on Latin American geopolitics, and delivering a vague, stumbling response to a question on U.S. policy toward defending Taiwan against a potential Chinese invasion.
She responded hesitantly: "This is, of course, a very long-standing policy of the United States, and I think what we are hoping for is that we want to make sure that we never get to that point."
Critics, including the Washington Post editorial board, described her as appearing "out of depth," while even fellow Democrat Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) rebuked her for accusing Israel of "genocide" in the context of the ongoing Gaza conflict, calling it unhelpful to U.S. foreign policy goals. Liberal commentators admitted the moments were "not great," but some defended her pauses as thoughtful deliberation rather than incompetence.
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On the panel, which included Republican strategist Ana Navarro, progressive podcaster Leigh McGowan (known as PoliticsGirl), journalist Cari Champion, and conservative commentator John Tabacco, O'Leary faced pushback for his harsh assessment. Champion argued AOC was "taking a beat" and only faltered "for less than 20 seconds," labeling O'Leary "condescending," while Navarro emphasized that AOC isn't a foreign policy expert.
O'Leary retorted by asking if they were "kidding" and ended the segment by declaring the panel "all nuts" amid interruptions. Phillip intervened, warning O'Leary, "If you don't have anything to say, just say that. I won't come to you next time," as the discussion devolved into chaos.
This incident underscores ongoing debates about Ocasio-Cortez's readiness for the international stage, given her prominence as a progressive voice focused primarily on domestic issues like climate change and economic inequality since her 2018 election upset. While her critics, including some on the left, worry it could jeopardize her future ambitions—such as a potential presidential run—supporters view the scrutiny as sexist or partisan, especially when compared to male politicians' errors.
The MSC episode also highlights broader U.S. political divisions on foreign policy, from Taiwan's strategic importance amid rising China tensions to the Israel-Hamas war, where AOC's stance aligns with progressive calls for a Gaza ceasefire but clashes with mainstream Democratic support for Israel.