"Not helpful": White House winces over conservatives bashing AOC for egg freezing
When Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted a video Saturday giving herself a shot in preparation to freeze her eggs, she instantly injected issues of fertility, family and feminism into political discourse. And some of the online backlash from the conservative right is making Republicans, including some in the White House, a little nervous. Why it matters: The New York Democrat's Instagram…
When Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared a video of herself receiving an egg-freezing procedure, she thrust the topics of fertility, family, and feminism into the political conversation. Conservative backlash on social media made Republicans, including those in the White House, uneasy. Ocasio-Cortez's announcement on Instagram prompted speculation about her potential 2024 White House bid, drawing both support and criticism.
The left celebrated her decision, while conservatives debated whether delaying pregnancy was a wise choice. Some conservative commentators, like Matt Walsh, derided her as setting a troubling precedent for women. However, other conservatives, such as Alexa Henning, argued that women who put their careers first and freeze their eggs should be applauded for their proactive approach to family planning.
At the White House, President Trump's administration showed an interest in embracing a more practical perspective on fertility. A senior official emphasized the importance of encouraging women to have children, regardless of the method. Nonetheless, the White House felt that Matt Walsh's messaging was unhelpful.
The midterm elections were approaching quickly, and Republicans were advised not to engage with the egg-freezing controversy. Republican pollster Adam Geller dismissed it as a stunt meant to generate attention. In the world of modern politics, where viral moments are crucial, AOC's announcement exemplified this trend and effectively united Democrats while creating a divide among Republicans.
Written by urgent.news from Axios's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.