WASHINGTON, D.C.— In an emotional video posted to her X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) broke down in tears over President Donald Trump’s recent executive order affirming that only two genders exist. The congresswoman claimed the move was both “mean-spirited” and “divisive” while also admitting her own difficulty in defining what exactly constitutes a woman.
The nearly three-minute video, titled “Why Can’t He Just Be Nice?” features Ocasio-Cortez sitting on her couch, makeup slightly smudged, as she tearfully addresses her followers. “It’s just so unfair that he’s out here making these proclamations, recognizing women for who they are, when so many of us—myself included—are still trying to figure out, like, what even is a woman?” she said, pausing to wipe her eyes with a tissue.
Trump’s Executive Order Sparks Debate
President Trump’s executive order, signed on his first day in office, officially recognizes the existence of two biological sexes: male and female. The move has been hailed by conservatives as a “return to scientific sanity,” while critics like Ocasio-Cortez have labeled it “regressive” and “anti-inclusive.”
“This is just another example of how Trump’s administration doesn’t care about marginalized communities,” Ocasio-Cortez lamented in her video. “It’s like he’s saying that people who can’t even define basic concepts don’t deserve a seat at the table, and that’s just... like... not okay.”
AOC’s Struggle to Define ‘Woman’
The congresswoman’s inability to articulate a clear definition of a woman has become a frequent talking point among her critics. During a recent interview, when asked to define the term, she stumbled before saying, “Well, it’s a spectrum, right? Like, anyone can be a woman if they feel like it. Or maybe not. It’s complicated, okay?”
Her latest video seemed to double down on this ambiguity. “It’s not about definitions,” she said, voice cracking. “It’s about feelings. And Donald Trump doesn’t care about feelings. He’s just mean!”
Social Media Reactions
The video quickly went viral, garnering millions of views and spawning hashtags like #DefineWomanChallenge and #CryingAOC. While her supporters praised her vulnerability, detractors were less sympathetic.
“Maybe if she spent less time crying and more time reading a dictionary, she’d be able to define basic terms,” one commenter quipped. Another user posted a meme featuring a picture of Ocasio-Cortez with the caption, “Women: A concept so mysterious even AOC can’t explain it.”
Trump Responds
Never one to shy away from a public feud, President Trump addressed the video during a press briefing. “I saw the video. She’s very upset, very emotional—probably because she realizes she’s completely wrong,” he said. “Look, it’s simple: women are amazing. Men are amazing. We’re all amazing in our own way, but facts are facts. There are two genders. Period. Maybe she should focus less on crying and more on representing her district.”
The Bigger Picture
As the debate over gender definitions continues to dominate headlines, Ocasio-Cortez’s tearful video has reignited questions about the balance between inclusivity and scientific accuracy. For now, it seems the congresswoman is content to keep sharing her feelings, even if they remain as nebulous as her definitions.
As one commenter put it, “AOC may not know what a woman is, but she sure knows how to cry like one.”