Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, one of the most powerful and influential Democrats in the United States, has suggested that almost a third of Republicans are too racist, sexist and homophobic to support Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election.
Pelosi made the remarks on Saturday during a sit-down with journalist Kara Swisher, host of the podcast “On with Kara Swisher.” 2024 Texas Tribune Festival In Austin, Texas.
“Half of Trump's supporters would fall into what I call the 'deplorables' group.”
Pelosi and Swisher touched on a range of topics, including why former President Donald Trump is still polling well against Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
When Swisher asked Pelosi if she was “worried” about Trump's possible reelection, she suggested that “30 percent” of Republicans were so biased that they wouldn't vote for a Democrat.
“There are people who are never going to support the Democratic Party because they don't believe in women, they don't believe in people of color, they don't believe in LGBTQ people. They're never going to support the Democratic Party,” Pelosi replied. “So I'm talking about about 30 percent of Republicans.”
As Millennials and Beyond Pelosi's response, she noted, bore a striking resemblance to Hillary Clinton's infamous comments during her 2016 presidential campaign against Trump, in which she described “half” of Trump's supporters — or a large portion of the American electorate — as “deplorable.”
“Half of Trump's supporters are what I call deplorables,” Clinton said. “They're racists, sexists, homophobes, xenophobes, Islamophobes, you name it. And unfortunately, that's what exists, and Trump has elevated them.”
Pelosi also suggested to Swisher that some Republicans are “very wealthy people” who don't care about “clean air and clean water” – they just don't want to pay taxes, she argued.
Pelosi then quickly added, perhaps to soften her remarks, that some of Trump's supporters have concerns about globalization and immigration. “I think we need to show as much respect and understanding as we can,” she told Swisher.
Despite their calls for cooperation, Pelosi said some Republicans are inexplicably afraid of “innovation.”
“They've seen factories down the road move overseas,” Pelosi explained. “They're afraid of innovation.”
Then she tried to give an example: “My dad's a truck driver, and now they're, you know…”
The 84-year-old Speaker appeared to stumble over her words, before Swisher chimed in and added, “Self-driving trucks.” “Yes, and that includes innovation, globalization and immigration,” Pelosi continued.
She also argued that “immigration” isn't actually a “big job killer” but rather an “economic booster.”
Other moments from Pelosi and Swisher's hour-long conversation also became hot topics, including one in which Swisher asked Pelosi for advice for Trump ahead of Tuesday night's debate with Harris.
“Do you think he'll show up?” Pelosi asked.
Swisher seemed surprised by the question. “I do. You know something that I don't know,” he replied, eliciting amusement from the crowd.
“I know a coward when I see one,” Pelosi responded.
In response to a request for comment Fox News DigitalStephen Chang of the Trump campaign called Pelosi a “liar and a con artist” who “has no idea what she's talking about.” He also called suggestions that Trump would not attend the debate “fake news.”
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