McEnany on Ocasio-Cortez leading Dems in 2028: 'Watch out for her'

Fox News host and former top White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is a Democrat to watch ahead of the 2028 race for president.

"I really think she has her eye on something bigger," McEnany said Wednesday during an appearance on Fox News's "America's Newsroom," adding, "I think she looks at running for president and taking the mantle from [Vermont Sen.] Bernie Sanders."

The commentator noted Ocasio-Cortez has "the highest favorable of any Democrat who hasn’t run for president."

"But that’s among Democrats. She repels the very voters that the party repelled in 2024, centrists, independents. So, you can win a primary, perhaps," McEnany continued in comments first highlighted by Mediaite. "That’s still a big haul. But winning a general election is a much different thing."

"But I would watch out for her. I mean, she’s pulling in tens of thousands of people," she added.

The New York Democrat has drawn large crowds across the country with Sanders as the two rolled out a "Fighting Oligarchy" speaking tour that has sparked speculation about her political future and fueled suggestions she may run for president.

McEnany wasn't the first to raise speculation around the fiery Democrat, as former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and veteran pollster Nate Silver have also floated her name as a potential contender.

Ocasio-Cortez is also a frequent target of scorn on the right, with Fox News personalities and conservative social media accounts making regular practice of mocking her press conferences and political positions.