Trump mocks Green New Deal as done by ‘young bartender’ Ocasio-Cortez

President Trump mocked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday night over the Green New Deal, an ambitious proposal she crafted to combat climate change.

Trump told House GOP lawmakers at the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner that he didn’t want to be too critical of the Green New Deal because he hoped to campaign against it. He went on to chide Ocasio-Cortez without explicitly naming her. 

“The Green New Deal, done by a young bartender, 29 years old,” Trump said, eliciting laughter from attendees.

“A young bartender, wonderful young woman,” he continued. “The Green New Deal. The first time I heard it I said, ‘That’s the craziest thing.’ You have senators that are professionals that you guys know that have been there for a long time … and they’re standing behind her shaking. They’re petrified of her.”

Trump previously made similar comments about hoping to make Green New Deal a central part of his reelection bid. The proposal seeks to reduce emissions, increase clean energy use and boost the economy. It was blocked in the Senate last week after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) brought it up for a vote. 

Ocasio-Cortez has emerged as a rising star in the Democratic Party since she won an upset primary victory over 10-term incumbent Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) last year. She became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress in November after working as a bartender and political organizer in New York.

She has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration and has pressed for a number of progressive ideas and policies, including the Green New Deal and higher tax rates for the wealthiest Americans. She also has recently been critical of the Democrats’ House fundraising organization.