AOC Responds to Trump and Pope's Feud

The congresswoman weighs in on the escalating war of words between the former president and the pontiff.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:20pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a lone figure sitting at a desk in a political office, with warm sunlight streaming in through the window and creating deep shadows across the room, capturing a sense of solitude and contemplation.The clash between a former president and the Pope reflects the deep divisions and erosion of moral authority in American politics.NYC Today

In a brief exchange with reporters, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared her exasperated reaction to the ongoing feud between former President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV over the US-Israel conflict with Iran. AOC's simple but pointed response suggested that Trump has lost any moral high ground by attacking the leader of the Catholic Church.

Why it matters

The clash between Trump and the Pope, who is an American-born pontiff, has become a high-profile political and theological debate. AOC's commentary reflects the broader public sentiment that Trump's combative stance against the Pope undermines his own moral authority.

The details

In recent weeks, Pope Leo XIV has been outspoken in his criticism of the Trump administration's policies, particularly the US-Israel war with Iran. Trump has responded by lashing out at the Pope, calling him "WEAK on CRIME" and posting questionable social media images depicting himself as Jesus. When asked about the situation, AOC sighed heavily and said, "At the point that you're attacking the pope, who do you think has moral authority in this situation, you know what I mean?"

  • On April 10, 2026, Pope Leo XIV criticized the Trump administration's actions in the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
  • On April 13, 2026, Trump responded to the Pope's comments by attacking him on social media.
  • On April 15, 2026, AOC was asked by reporters to share her reaction to the ongoing feud between Trump and the Pope.

The players

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A Democratic Congresswoman representing New York's 14th congressional district, known for her progressive politics and viral social media presence.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, known for his combative political style and controversial social media behavior.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope, who was born in the United States and has been outspoken in his criticism of the Trump administration's policies.

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What they’re saying

“I have no fear of neither the Trump administration nor speaking out loudly about the message of the gospel.”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

“At the point that you're attacking the pope, who do you think has moral authority in this situation, you know what I mean?”

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Congresswoman

What’s next

The ongoing feud between Trump and the Pope is likely to continue, with both sides doubling down on their positions. It remains to be seen whether the public backlash against Trump's attacks on the Pope will have any political consequences.

The takeaway

This clash between a former president and the leader of the Catholic Church highlights the deep divisions in American politics and the erosion of traditional moral authority. AOC's exasperated reaction reflects the broader sentiment that Trump has lost the moral high ground by attacking the Pope, undermining his own credibility.