Trump says AOC has ‘a great line in bulls***’ as he slams Green New Deal

President insults congresswoman over policies to tackle climate crisis

Donald Trump attacked Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for having a “great line of bulls***" but knowing nothing about the environment, as crowds at a rally in Macon, Georgia cheered.

The president took a swing at the New York congresswoman as he mocked her Green New Deal proposals to deal with the climate crisis.

Mr Trump made the dismissive comments to a campaign rally crowd on Friday, his third public event of the day following a speech to seniors and another rally in Florida.

“She doesn’t know anything about the environment, she doesn’t know, she has got a great line of bulls*** thats about it,” said Mr Trump to huge cheers.

“It’s true, she knows nothing about the environment. AOC plus three, these are not great academics."

The president often uses the phrase “AOC plus three” to refer to the New York congresswoman and three progressive Democratic colleagues, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who are collectively known as The Squad.

Mr Trump told the crowd that the proposal would cost $100 trillion and would force new buildings to have “tiny windows.”

“If you don’t mind I would like to keep my windows, I want to have a nice view of Georgia,” the president laughed.

Mr Trump told the audience it would take the US 100 years to raise the money needed.

Windows are not mentioned in the Green New Deal (GND), the 14-page bill aimed at simultaneously tackling the climate crisis and providing jobs.

It was introduced in 2019 by Ms Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey.

Among other ideas, the Green New Deal includes plans for:

- A public infrastructure overhaul: repairing, upgrading, expanding of roads, railways, bridges, energy grids and water systems in a way that cuts pollution, providing jobs along with way

- Part of that infrastructure revamp would be replacing lead pipes to ensure clean water, and build-outs of green infrastructure so cities can better handle stormwater

- It also calls for a high-speed rail network across the US and expanding light rail and clean buses in cities to cut emissions and air pollution

- "Smart grid" development which will create jobs and at the same time, clean power

- A "Green Brigade" - creating employment for thousands of people in restoring ecosystems that help fight the climate crisis, including jobs in forest growth and fire safety, revitalising wetlands and parks, and the safe clean-up of hazardous waste

- Priority would be given to projects that benefit low-income families and communities of colour to address historic economic inequity.

In its current form, the GND is a non-binding resolution and does not contain details on how it will be financed. 

Additional reporting by Louise Boyle