Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) attempted to walk back comments she made about White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller after facing widespread criticism for body-shaming remarks during a livestream on social media, as reported [1] by Breitbart.
In a video posted Monday, Ocasio-Cortez mocked Miller’s physical appearance and implied that his political views were connected to his height. “Laugh at them. Stephen Miller is a clown,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
“I’ve never seen that guy in real life, but he looks like he’s like 4’10. And he looks like he is angry about the fact that he is 4’10. And he looks like he is so mad that he’s 4’10, that he’s taking that anger out on any other population possible.”
.@AOC [2] says mock Republicans by
“laughing at them” and their “insecure masculinity.”
“Stephen Miller is a CLOWN. He looks like he’s 4’10Sandy, Sandy, Sandy
Don’t judge our men by your experience with Leftist soi bois
Not even the same speciespic.twitter.com/cdIjIMWHU3 [3]— Jim Hanson (@JimHansonDC) October 6, 2025 [4]
The New York congresswoman continued by encouraging her followers to mock political figures she accused of “insecure masculinity.” “Yes, they are dangerous,” she said.
“One of the most powerful things you can do to a political movement that is predicated on the puffery of insecure masculinity … one of the best ways you can dismantle a movement of insecure men is by making fun of them.”
The remarks quickly drew backlash across social media, with many accusing Ocasio-Cortez of height-shaming and engaging in the same kind of personal attacks she has previously condemned.
Critics pointed out that her comments contradicted her frequent calls for respectful political discourse and opposition to bullying based on appearance.
Facing the reaction, Ocasio-Cortez attempted to clarify her comments on Tuesday, saying her remarks about Miller were not meant to be literal. “I want to express my love for the short king community,” she said in a follow-up video.
“I don’t believe in body shaming. I am talking about how big or small someone is on the inside.”
The congresswoman went on to explain that her original statement was intended as a metaphor for character, not physical stature.
“Like, for example, I have no idea how tall Andrew Tate is. No idea at all. But that guy looks to me like 5’3. Whereas, physically, men of smaller stature can come across — they are spiritually six-foot,” Ocasio-Cortez added.
“If you’re a good dad, if you stand with women, if you’re not belittling immigrants, you’re like 6’3 spiritually.”
AOC: “I want to express my love for the short king community. I don’t believe in body shaming.
I am talking about how big or small someone is on the inside.” pic.twitter.com/CAsoetiLjd [5]
— Winter (@WinterPolitics1) October 6, 2025 [6]
Stephen Miller, who has served as President Donald Trump’s White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, has not publicly responded to Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks.
The controversy follows a series of high-profile exchanges between Ocasio-Cortez and members of the Trump administration over immigration and border policy.
Her comments are the latest in a string of online disputes that have drawn criticism from both supporters and opponents for their tone and language.