International Research and News Department 15-10-2024
Nancy Pelosi has revealed that she has not spoken to Joe Biden since her significant intervention in July, which influenced his choice to withdraw from the presidential race after a notably weak debate performance against Donald Trump.
In a conversation with Jonathan Freedland on the Guardian’s *Politics Weekly America* podcast, Pelosi acknowledged her longstanding friendship with the president but emphasized that a pragmatic political decision was necessary due to concerns about Biden’s declining mental fitness.
“Not since then, no,” she responded when asked about her communication with Biden. “But I’m hopeful for the future.”
Pelosi expressed deep respect for Biden, calling him one of the most consequential presidents in U.S. history. She noted the importance of protecting his legacy and suggested that the direction of his campaign needed reevaluation. “I think he feels some unease because we’ve been friends for decades,” she said.
“Elections are about making choices,” she added. “I made it clear that I believe Donald Trump should never return to the White House in any capacity. Every decision must be made with winning in mind, and the candidate is the most crucial choice.”
She acknowledged that some supporters in Biden’s camp might hold resentment toward her for limiting his presidency to one term, but she argued that a Trump victory would have cast a long shadow over his legacy.
Pelosi, a highly influential former speaker, was seen as a key figure indicating that Biden should reconsider his re-election bid amid troubling polling numbers against Trump. After Biden stepped back, she urged the party to back Kamala Harris, who subsequently selected former Congressman Tim Walz as her running mate.
Throughout her political career, Pelosi has often been at odds with Trump, provoking him into lengthy social media rants. One notable incident was when she infamously tore up his State of the Union speech in 2020, branding it a “manifesto of mistruths.”
Discussing her ability to unite a diverse coalition of Democrats, Pelosi emphasized that effective leadership is built on respect and consensus, contrasting that with Trump’s divisive rhetoric. She rarely uses Trump’s name, instead referring to him as “what’s-his-name.”
“I find the word Trump distasteful. It feels like a bad word to say,” she remarked, recalling her Catholic upbringing where swearing was viewed as sinful. “I don’t want to take any chances.”
In her new book, *The Art of Power*, Pelosi reflects on being the first woman speaker of the House and expresses her disappointment over Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential loss. However, she remains optimistic about Harris’s chances, noting that Harris runs on her strengths rather than her identity as a woman or a woman of color.
Pelosi pointed out the significant gender divide in support for Harris versus Trump, attributing it to differing policies that affect women directly. “A woman’s right to choose is not only a personal and economic issue, but a matter of democracy and freedom,” she asserted.
She voiced concern over political violence and misinformation, particularly how Trump’s rhetoric has contributed to a dangerous atmosphere. Following an attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi, by an armed intruder, she noted that some Republicans reacted with insensitivity, making jokes about the incident.
When asked if she agrees with Mark Milley, the former chairperson of the Joint Chiefs, who labeled Trump a “fascist to the core,” Pelosi affirmed his statement. “I believe it. I know men like him, and I know him well,” she said, emphasizing Trump’s harmful actions.
Pelosi described a tense encounter with Trump during a cabinet meeting, indicating her belief that he is deeply connected to Russian influence. She also stressed the importance of Democrats retaining control of the House in 2024 to ensure a peaceful transfer of power, warning against potential repeat incidents like the January 6 insurrection.
At the end of the interview, Pelosi caught herself saying Trump’s name and joked, “I hope I don’t burn in hell.”
