Nancy Pelosi clapped back at Trump so hard today—and right to his face
Two years into his presidency, it’s clear that President Donald Trump routinely lies and belittles anyone who disagrees with him. But in a meeting with the president today, December 11th, Representative Nancy Pelosi called out Trump—for both his dishonesty and his disrespect. Pelosi, who will likely be the next House Speaker, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer met with Trump to discuss the president’s proposed border wall. As the top House Democrat tried to explain her thinking, Trump repeatedly interrupted her, dismissing her concerns. Then, at one point, he said, “Nancy is in a situation where it’s not easy for her to talk right now. And I understand that.”
But Pelosi would not tolerate Trump speaking for her.
"Mr. President, please don't characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting as the leader of the House Democrats who just won a big victory," she said.
An Oval Office exchange that started with Nancy Pelosi calmly countering the president was eventually reduced to Donald Trump and Chuck Schumer arguing with each other and speaking over her.
Mike Pence and reporters watched speechlessly as the public brawl escalated pic.twitter.com/gG5NYhmO9w
— POLITICO (@politico) December 11, 2018
She continued by calling out the president’s misrepresentation of the support for the wall.
"Let me just say this: What the president is representing in terms of his cards over there are not factual. We have to have an evidence-based conversation about what does work, what money has been spent, and how effective it is."
We’re literally cheering.
President Trump: "Nancy's in a situation where it's not easy for her to talk right now."
House Minority Leader Pelosi: "Mr. President, please don't characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting." https://t.co/rVAHFqGGPE pic.twitter.com/QO80v3vmck
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 11, 2018
According to CNN, Trump has requested $5 billion for the construction of the wall, but support among Congress, especially Democrats, has been far less than enthusiastic. A current spending resolution in the Senate asks for $1.6 billion to fund the wall. It remains to be seen if Trump will shut down the government over a failure to pass the funds. In the meantime, it’s encouraging (and inspiring) to see lawmakers like Pelosi standing up to the president and his endless parade of lies.
