Trump encourages AOC to keep trying for Democrat leadership positions after Oversight loss

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday appeared to support progressive New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's attempts to become a future Democratic leader in the House, encouraging her to continue trying after losing a bid on the House Oversight Committee.

Ocasio-Cortez lost her bid to be the top Democrat on the coveted panel on Tuesday, after the caucus elected Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly to the position instead. Connolly has more seniority on the panel, having served in the committee for 16 years.

Trump, who previously remarked that the New Yorker has a "good spark," per The Hill, encouraged Ocasio-Cortez to continue trying to land a big role.

"Really too bad that AOC lost the Battle for the Leadership Seat in the Democrat Party," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. "She should keep trying. Someday, she will be successful!"

The congresswoman responded to the comment in a post on X, stating "you know it’s bad when even Trump is feeling bad for me," and a laughing emoji.

Trump's comment is not the first time a Republican has voiced support for the progressive. House Oversight Chairman James Comer last week admitted that he's a "big AOC fan."

“I’m a big AOC fan,” Comer said on CNN. “Obviously, I don’t agree with very much of her policy, but I think she’s a good person, I think she’s very well spoken ... If it’s AOC, I think we’ll have a good working relationship." 

Connolly will take over the role from current House Oversight Ranking Member Jamie Raskin on January 3. Raskin announced he was seeking the top spot on the House Judiciary committee instead.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.