Pelosi confronts reporters, tells them to “shut up!”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had a heated exchange with a reporter from Lindell TV on Wednesday. The question posed was whether she felt responsible for the violence during the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021. In response, Pelosi shouted, “Shut up! I didn’t refuse to send in the National Guard! The president didn’t send them in.” She then questioned why the reporter was bringing up Republican talking points instead of acting like a serious journalist.
This isn’t the first time Pelosi has lost her cool with the media. On July 10, 2024, she faced backlash from ABC News reporter Rachel Scott when asked if she had discussed with President Biden her comments on MSNBC about his decision to stay in the race. Pelosi firmly stated, “With all due respect, I am not going to argue with you or anyone else about what I’m talking about with the president.” When pressed further, she snapped, “Am I speaking English to you?”
Pelosi has been known to clash with reporters, particularly when she feels questions are off-base. For example, in October 2024, she became frustrated when asked if Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was leading negotiations on a government shutdown. “Why are you saying such crazy things?” Pelosi retorted, clarifying that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was in charge.
In a different context, shortly after Republicans regained majority in the House in 2022, she reacted sharply to a question about her term in her San Francisco district: “What is this? Please stop asking such questions.” Pelosi emphasized that questions like that were a waste of time.
Additionally, during an interview in October 2020 with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer about coronavirus stimulus negotiations, Pelosi displayed visible irritation at the anchorman’s questioning. Despite the tension, she maintained that the needs of the American people weren’t being addressed adequately.
Then there was a memorable moment in 2013 when she was asked a contentious question regarding abortion. In that instance, she reacted with clear displeasure, stating, “You probably really enjoy that question,” while several journalists in attendance chuckled. She later emphasized that the subject was sacred to her personally.
