Pelosi Claims She Never Planned to Rip Trump’s State of the Union Speech [WATCH]

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that she had “no intention” of tearing up Donald Trump’s 2020 State of the Union address, claiming the moment that went viral was spontaneous rather than premeditated, as reported by Fox News.

Pelosi made the remarks during a conversation with Jonathan Karl on This Week, reflecting on what she described as defining moments in her opposition to Trump while serving as Speaker of the House.

“People like the tearing up of the speech. I didn’t intend to go to the speech to tear it up,” Pelosi said.

“I just, the first part of it, I tore a page because he was lying. And then the next page, then the next page. I thought it was a manifesto of lies all throughout, so I better tear up the whole speech. Now, the speeches are on strong paper, so you have to do it a few times to get it done. But I had no intention of doing that. I thought my staff was going to die.”

The incident occurred during Trump’s 2020 State of the Union address, when Pelosi was seated behind the president on the House dais.

The act drew immediate national attention and became one of the most replayed political moments of Trump’s first term.

During the interview, Pelosi also revisited another widely circulated image from 2019 showing her pointing a finger at Trump during a tense White House meeting that included members of Trump’s Cabinet.

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She said the photograph remains one of the most requested items for autographs.

“The former House Speaker said she gets more requests to sign that image than anything,” Karl noted.

Pelosi explained what she believed the image conveyed. “You know what I’m saying when I go out the door? I’m leaving here because I’ve had it with you, Mr. President. With you, all roads lead to Putin,” she told Karl.

Karl pointed out that the White House later released the photo publicly and labeled Pelosi “crazy.” Pelosi said the move benefited her politically.

“They did me a favor,” she said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment regarding Pelosi’s remarks. No response was immediately available.

Pelosi also addressed her future during the interview, following her announcement in November that she would not seek re-election after completing her current term in Congress.

Karl asked Pelosi how she hoped to be remembered after decades in national politics.

“I’m very proud of the Affordable Care Act,” Pelosi said.

“I think it just made a big change in terms of what working families need for their health and their financial health. We will continue to have that fight. It’s not a value that is shared with the Republicans. The healthcare bill was a way of not only meeting health needs but the national needs of families. If I were to be remembered for one thing, it’s the Affordable Care Act.”

Pelosi’s comments revisit some of the most contentious and symbolic episodes of her tenure as Speaker, moments that continue to shape how her leadership is viewed across the political spectrum as she prepares to exit Congress.

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