Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested that former President Donald Trump might skip the upcoming presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, citing “cowardice” as a possible reason for his absence. Her comments were made during an appearance at the Texas Tribune Festival over the weekend, where she discussed various political issues and took the opportunity to criticize Trump.
Pelosi’s remark came when journalist Kara Swisher asked her what advice she would offer Trump ahead of his highly anticipated debate with Harris, which is scheduled for Tuesday. In a light-hearted moment, Pelosi responded, “You think he’s gonna show up?” prompting laughter and applause from the audience. When Swisher asked if Pelosi knew something the audience didn’t, Pelosi replied, “I know cowardice when I see it.“
Pelosi’s comments further escalated when Swisher brought up former Congresswoman Liz Cheney’s harsh criticism of Trump, calling him a “misogynist pig” at the same festival. Pelosi responded enthusiastically, calling Cheney “wonderful” and aligning with her criticism.
The Trump campaign, however, swiftly refuted Pelosi’s remarks. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, dismissed Pelosi’s suggestion as baseless, calling it “fake news” and accusing the former Speaker of spreading lies. “Nancy Pelosi has no idea what she is talking about and has been proven to be a liar and fraud,” Cheung said in a statement to Fox News Digital. He also took a jab at Pelosi’s title, stating, “If she isn’t busy giving herself fake titles to make herself feel better, she’s peddling fake news because it’s the only thing she’s ever done.”
This latest exchange adds to the longstanding animosity between Trump and Pelosi, who have frequently clashed in public. One of the most notable moments in their contentious relationship occurred in 2020 when Pelosi famously tore up her copy of Trump’s State of the Union address on live television. The symbolic act underscored the deep divisions between the two political leaders.
Despite Pelosi’s comments, the debate between Trump and Harris is set to take place on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. The debate is expected to be a crucial moment in the election campaign, as both candidates aim to sway undecided voters and solidify their bases.
Pelosi, now 84, also touched on her current position during her conversation with Swisher, referring to herself as “Speaker Emerita” while asserting that “Speaker” remains her title in practice.
As the debate approaches, tensions between the candidates and their supporters are likely to intensify. Pelosi’s provocative remarks may add fuel to an already heated political atmosphere, but Trump’s campaign is making it clear that the former president has no plans to back down from the debate stage.
