Business mogul and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary has taken aim at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, labeling her one of the worst managers he has ever encountered. In a recent appearance on Fox News, O’Leary critiqued the New York congresswoman’s leadership style, suggesting that her focus on social media and personal branding has overshadowed any tangible achievements in her role as a representative.
O’Leary acknowledged Ocasio-Cortez’s skill in generating attention, particularly through her social media presence, but he did not shy away from pointing out what he sees as her failure to manage effectively. He emphasized that if he lived in her district, he would “fire” her and replace her with someone who would do a better job of managing the area’s needs.
A key point of contention for O’Leary was Ocasio-Cortez’s opposition to Amazon’s plans to build its second headquarters in New York. O’Leary argued that her decision to block Amazon’s move cost thousands of jobs and economic opportunities, particularly for working-class families in her district. He expressed frustration that such a significant business decision was made based on ideological opposition rather than the potential benefits for the community.
While acknowledging Ocasio-Cortez’s ability to raise small amounts of money through social media by making controversial statements, O’Leary questioned what real impact she had beyond the headlines. He encouraged viewers, especially those living in her district, to reflect on what they have gained from her time in office aside from her frequent online posts.
This criticism comes as Ocasio-Cortez recently joined striking Amazon workers in Queens, New York, as part of a labor dispute. Workers, backed by union members, were demanding better wages and working conditions during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year. Ocasio-Cortez’s show of support for the workers aligns with her broader progressive agenda, but O’Leary and other critics argue that her focus on such causes may be distracting her from the real needs of her constituents.
O’Leary, in contrast, praised individuals like Elon Musk, who focus on driving innovation and improving systems, rather than engaging in constant political battles. For O’Leary, leadership is about results, not rhetoric, and he believes America needs more of the former if it is to address its economic and political challenges effectively.