Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez managed to turn a question about income inequality into a confused lecture on cowboy history, Western civilization, and Venezuela, all in one sitting at a TU Berlin event on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
Asked about her calls for wealth redistribution and taxing the rich, AOC pivoted almost immediately to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s speech from the previous day. Rubio had outlined the cultural roots of the United States, noting influences from England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, and yes, Spain. He specifically mentioned that the American cowboy archetype traces back to Spanish traditions, including ranching practices brought to the New World.
That is not controversial. Spanish vaqueros operating in what is now Mexico and the American Southwest in the 16th century heavily influenced cowboy culture. The historical record on that is clear.
But AOC treated it as a scandal.
“My favorite part was when he said that American cowboys came from Spain,” she said. “I believe the Mexicans and descendants of African slave— enslaved peoples would like to have a word on that.”
The problem is that Spanish colonial influence in Mexico is precisely what shaped early ranching culture. The vaquero tradition developed under Spanish rule and later blended with local influences. Rubio’s point was about historical origin, not exclusion.
From there, AOC launched into a broader monologue about culture being fluid and evolving, arguing that appeals to Western culture are “thin” and that the real response should be “material, class-based, common interest.” The original question about wealth inequality in Germany was largely left behind.
Then things took an even stranger turn. In discussing what she called “hypocrisy toward the global south,” she referenced Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, stating that even if he canceled elections and governed undemocratically, “that doesn’t mean that we can kidnap a head of state and engage in acts of war just because the nation is below the equator.”
That is a serious accusation delivered in passing, with little context, during what was supposed to be a policy discussion.
The episode comes just days after AOC stumbled through a separate foreign policy question at the conference, where she struggled to articulate a clear position on U.S. defense commitments.
International forums like Munich are not campaign rallies. They are high stakes venues where words are weighed carefully. When basic historical references become fodder for rhetorical flourishes, and complex geopolitical issues are reduced to slogans, it raises questions about preparation and seriousness.
Income inequality is a legitimate topic. So is cultural identity. But if you are going to challenge the historical record on cowboys while accusing your own country of acts of war, it helps to have your facts straight.
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