Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi addressed an enthusiastic crowd Saturday in the Paramount Theatre at the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival. Pelosi was interviewed by Kara Swisher, editor-at-large of New York Public Media and host of the ‘On With Kara Swisher’ podcast, who asked her about the upcoming election and the danger of former President Donald Trump’s potential second term.
At the forefront of election coverage this week is the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, which will air Tuesday on ABC.
Pelosi said she hopes to see the candidates empathize with the struggles of the average family, as she believes President Joe Biden did. Pelosi recommends Harris follow suit, remain loyal to Biden and strive to produce legislation that helps families and the middle class.
“People say, ‘well, should she separate from Joe?’” Pelosi said. “No. She should spring from Joe.”
As far as advice for Trump, Pelosi wasn’t positive there would be a debate to critique.
“Do you think he’s going to show up?” Pelosi asked. “I know cowardice when I see it.”
Pelosi criticized Trump’s legislative record while in office, and said he supported the rich far more than the middle class, and criticized his effect promoting extremism in the modern Republican Party. She also supported Former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney’s announcement Friday that her father, Former Vice President Dick Cheney, would be voting for Kamala Harris.
“The country needs a strong Republican Party,” Pelosi said. “Now, it’s a cult to a misogynistic pig.”
Pelosi said that although she has faith Harris will win the popular vote, she’s concerned about the possibility that Trump will win the electoral college, similar to the 2016 presidential election.
The former speaker also spoke of issues Harris should prioritize if she does win the election. Affordable child care, family and medical leave and home healthcare are all issues the Harris administration would need to prioritize, she said.
While much of the interview revolved around Pelosi’s opinions on the upcoming election, she was also questioned on controversial policy decisions by Congress and the Biden administration.
When asked by the audience about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the United States’ provision of weapons to Israel, Pelosi acknowledged the devastation in the Gaza Strip. She condemned Hamas as a “terrorist organization” and called for a two-state solution.
“It has been in our national interest to support Israel, they are our security partner and our values partner,” Pelosi said. “The debate is about where you draw the line between we have always said we will help Israel defend itself, (and that) people are thinking some of these weapons may be being used offensively.”
A member of the audience spoke loudly during the response, insisting she “draw the line.”Pelosi did not respond, although it was unclear if she heard the remark.
Pelosi maintained throughout the interview that given growing division and a lack of legislative action from Congress, this is a difficult time for the nation, and insisted the solution is empathy and action from lawmakers. She grew up near where the National Anthem was written in Baltimore, and used the song to describe the country today.
“‘Land of the free, home of the brave,’ everyone cheers,” Pelosi said of the Anthem’s lyrics. “But I cheer sooner than that, when it says ‘proof through the night that our flag was still there.’ That’s what we have right now — we’re in a night where we have to come out of this … to prove that our flag is still there with liberty and justice for all.”
