Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, speaking at a conference in London, expressed her disbelief over the continued appeal of former President Donald Trump among Republican voters. Pelosi, a prominent California Democrat and long-standing critic of Trump, described his base as extremists and questioned why he remains such a dominant figure in U.S. politics. “I just don’t understand it,” she remarked, “his followers seem to embrace anti-women and anti-immigrant rhetoric, and that’s not the America I know.”
Pelosi’s comments come as the 2024 presidential race heats up, with Trump maintaining a strong position in the Republican primaries. During her talk, Pelosi, who represented San Francisco for over three decades, argued that Trump’s support is driven by a combination of extremists and wealthy elites who benefit from his policies. She noted that his base of support includes “the super-rich” and groups she believes are opposed to progressive values.
Despite her sharp criticism of Trump, Pelosi remains optimistic about the upcoming election. She expressed confidence that Vice President Kamala Harris would win the popular vote but acknowledged that key swing states could still decide the election. “Polling is close in a handful of battleground states,” she said, “but the real question is whether women show up at the ballot box in 2024.”
Pelosi’s comments about the importance of women voters come at a time when both parties are keenly aware of the influence of female voters, particularly in swing states. She emphasized that issues like reproductive rights, healthcare, and immigration could mobilize women in significant numbers and ultimately sway the outcome of the election.
While Pelosi no longer holds her former leadership role in Congress, her influence within the Democratic Party remains strong. Her latest remarks underline her continuing role as a key figure in the opposition to Trump’s political resurgence.
As the 2024 election looms, Pelosi’s critique of Trump and his supporters signals the deepening divide between the parties and the challenges ahead in a contentious political landscape.
