2028 Democrats criticized at Munich Security Conference as Marco Rubio praised

A part of President Donald Trump‘S High Democratic critics who might run for the White Home in 2028 used their appearances at a high-profile European convention final weekend to blast the Republican president’s agenda and attempt to strengthen their international coverage.

However for a few of these Democrats with nationwide ambitions, the worldwide cease on the prestigious Munich Safety Convention might have backfired.

In the meantime, a extremely anticipated speech by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who could also be on the Republican Social gathering’s 2028 ticket, drew constructive critiques for his allure offensive with European allies bruised by Trump’s aggressive second-term strikes towards a few of America’s oldest and closest allies.

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Eight Democrats thought-about potential contenders for 2028 — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, governors. Gavin Newsom of California and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly of Arizona, Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, and former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo – all got here from Munich.

“I feel they harm themselves badly,” Hugh Hewitt, the favored conservative radio discuss present host and Fox Information contributor, mentioned of Democrats throughout an look on “Fox and Mates.”

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However it was Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive champion lengthy centered on affordability and different home points, who scored the worst critiques.

“We’re watching our presidential administration tear aside the transatlantic partnership and tear aside each democratic norm,” Ocasio-Cortez mentioned as she took intention at Trump. “I feel many people are right here to say that we’re right here, and that we’re prepared for the following chapter. To not permit the world to fall into isolation, however to deepen our partnership… and improve our dedication to the integrity of our values.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY., speaks through the Munich Safety Convention (MSC) in Munich, Germany, February 13, 2026. (Liesa Johannssen/Reuters)

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However Ocasio-Cortez was closely criticized for her gaffe when she was requested throughout a panel dialogue whether or not the US ought to ship troops to defend Taiwan from a doable invasion by China.

The four-term lawmaker appeared to attend almost 20 seconds earlier than providing that the U.S. ought to attempt to keep away from a conflict with China over Taiwan.

“AOC is sort of a parade of clichés. A mannequin UN scholar who hasn’t gotten sufficient sleep,” Hewitt argued.

Social media posts from others on the best weren’t so type, criticizing her for providing a world salad.

However it wasn’t simply Republicans who criticized Ocasio-Cortez.

A veteran Democratic strategist who spoke on situation of anonymity to talk extra freely informed Fox Information Digital: “It’s abundantly clear that AOC will not be prepared for prime time, given her feedback in Europe.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer listens as Consultant Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks throughout a city corridor panel on US international coverage on the 62nd Munich Safety Convention in Munich, Germany, on February 13. (Sean Gallup/Getty Photographs)

Whitmer, the term-limited governor of the important thing Nice Lakes battleground state, additionally confronted criticism.

When requested what victory would seem like for Ukraine, Whitmer mentioned Ocasio-Cortez and U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker, who sat together with her on the panel, had been “way more steeped in international coverage than a governor.”

“The independence of Ukraine, the preservation of their landmass and the help of all allies is, I feel, the purpose,” Whitmer added.

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Newsom repeatedly focused the president throughout his appearances.

“Donald Trump is short-term,” he mentioned throughout a dialogue on local weather change on Friday. “He’ll be gone in three years.” And he hammered Trump on local weather coverage, arguing that the president is “doubling down on his stupidity.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks throughout a session on the Munich Safety Convention in Munich, Germany, Friday, February 13, 2026 (Michael Probst/AP Picture)

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“By no means within the historical past of america of America has there been a extra harmful president than the present occupant of the White Home in Washington, DC,” Newsom mentioned. “Donald Trump is attempting to show again the clock.”

Matt Mowers, a longtime Republican strategist and veteran of the State Division throughout Trump’s first administration who later ran for Congress in 2020 with the Republican Social gathering within the swing state of New Hampshire, gave Democrats low scores.

“What we noticed on the Democratic aspect was a bunch of people that weren’t prepared for prime time,” Mowers informed Fox Information Digital. “I feel the American folks will have a look at the circus troupe that confirmed up there and surprise if they will belief one in all their very own to be able of energy and lead America ahead.”

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However former Democratic strategist Joe Caiazzo, pointing to Democrats on the convention, informed Fox Information Digital that “talking in Munich serves to bolster their international affairs credentials, particularly towards the backdrop of the looming 2028 presidential marketing campaign.”

“It’s unclear which technique will work, however I feel that no matter who’s profitable, they may want a transparent and convincing international coverage to return our place on the international desk,” Caiazzo mentioned.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a keynote speech on the 62nd Munich Safety Convention on February 14, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Photographs)

Rubio’s speech got here a yr after Vice President JD Vance, the perceived 2028 Republican front-runner, delivered a scathing assault on Europe throughout his speech on the 2025 safety discussion board.

America’s high diplomat spoke a month after Trump took a sledgehammer to Europe throughout remarks on the… World Financial Discussion board in DavosSwitzerland was applauded for saying: “At a time when headlines herald the tip of the transatlantic period, let it’s recognized and clear to all that that is neither our purpose nor our need, as a result of for us People our house could also be within the Western Hemisphere, however we’ll at all times stay a toddler of Europe.”

In search of to defuse tensions stoked by Trump’s push to take management of Greenland and the president’s threats of additional tariffs on European nations, Rubio emphasised that “america and Europe belong collectively.”

However whereas softer in tone, Rubio’s underlying message was as uncompromising as Trump’s and Vance’s, particularly that Europe should be part of America’s new reformed imaginative and prescient of the world, or get out of the best way.

And Rubio strongly criticized European nations for his or her immigration and local weather agendas, slamming the United Nations and saying the world physique “performed just about no function” within the peace efforts in Ukraine and Gaza.

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Referring to what he referred to as “the dynamic duo of J.D. Vance’s speech final yr and Marco Rubio’s speech this yr,” Mowers mentioned, “Final yr it took extra of a wrecking ball to wake everybody up.”

And he mentioned this yr, “You’ve somebody who can attempt to convey extra unity collectively primarily based on a shared framework. However I feel collectively they’ve executed a fantastic job of actually explaining what an American-European relationship can seem like within the twenty first century.”