As the GOP and some Democrats reacted in shock to Zohran Mamdani's stunning primary victory in New York City last week, Donald Trump's immediate response revealed his true political anxiety, Salon columnist Amanda Marcotte wrote Monday.
It's not Mamdani that he fears. The president's real nemesis is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Trump's knee-jerk reaction was to attack Mamdani with a dismissive "AOC+3" label on Truth Social, demonstrating that he's fixated on the New York congresswoman, Marcotte wrote.
In a characteristically unhinged social media post, he branded Ocasio-Cortez as "NOT qualified for office," "stupid," and "the dumbest" — a clear indication of his deep-seated fear of her political potency, according to the writer.
Ocasio-Cortez represents a stark departure from traditional Democratic leadership, Marcotte wrote.
"She has charisma, as evidenced by her widely-known nickname. The fact that she scares Republicans can work in her favor, because it reinforces her image as a fighter. And she will be able to defang Trump easily."
While the Democratic Party's establishment remains mired in "bipartisan" ineffectiveness, she offers a genuine, youth-driven alternative that resonates with younger voters, the columnist added.
The same personality and attractiveness was displayed by Mamdani, whose campaign learnt much from AOC's. And Trump clearly sees that as a major threat, Marcotte wrote.
Recent polls underscore her growing influence. A CNN survey showed AOC leading Democratic politicians in representing voter values, outpacing even established figures like Kamala Harris and Barack Obama. In a Data for Progress poll, she led Chuck Schumer in a hypothetical New York Senate primary by 19 points.
Her appeal lies in her perceived authenticity. Unlike many politicians who speak in carefully crafted soundbites, Ocasio-Cortez communicates directly and passionately, Marcotte wrote. This approach mirrors the strategy that helped Mamdani defeat Cuomo, focusing on social media, grassroots engagement, and speaking plainly about systemic issues.
Trump's attacks betray his vulnerability. While he won in 2024 by appearing "authentic" to low-information voters, Ocasio-Cortez represents a more genuine form of political communication, the columnist wrote. Her ability to quickly and cleverly dismiss Trump's attacks - like her response to his Truth Social last week, "Mr. President, don't take your anger out on me – I'm just a silly girl" - demonstrates a nimbleness that could be politically devastating.
"Plus, unlike Trump, Ocasio-Cortez is young, beautiful and well-spoken," she concluded. "Next to her, he’ll look as old and out-of-touch as he actually is."
