In a fiery and highly controversial appearance that reignited the long-running feud between America’s most powerful political figures, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi delivered a blistering rebuke of Donald Trump’s mental fitness while offering unqualified praise for former President Joe Biden, calling him “one of the greatest presidents this country has ever seen.”
The remarks, made during a closed-door donor dinner in San Francisco and later leaked to the press, have triggered renewed outrage from Trump allies and intensified the political war between Democrats and Republicans as the 2026 midterm season looms.
According to multiple attendees who spoke on condition of anonymity, Pelosi, now serving as a senior Democratic strategist and fundraiser, told the room of high-net-worth liberal donors that she believes Trump poses “a direct threat to American democracy” and warned that his return to the White House would “destroy every ounce of decency left in our institutions.”
She then stunned the room by questioning the former president’s mental stability, stating, “I don’t say this lightly—but I truly believe Donald Trump is not mentally well. He’s unhinged, erratic, and driven by vengeance, not leadership.”
Pelosi’s remarks, which have since been confirmed by two national media outlets with access to partial recordings, have drawn condemnation from Republican lawmakers and a ferocious response from Trump himself.
In a Truth Social post early Thursday morning, the former president lashed out at Pelosi, calling her “a sick and corrupt relic of a failed political era” and claiming she’s “desperately trying to remain relevant by lying about me and kissing up to Crooked Joe.”
But perhaps the most headline-grabbing portion of Pelosi’s comments came when she turned her attention to President Biden. “I’ve served with many presidents—some great, some forgettable,” Pelosi said.
“But President Joe Biden stands among the greatest. His decency, his commitment to unity, and his masterful handling of domestic and foreign crises have shown the strength of American leadership at its finest.”
These remarks were met with a standing ovation from the donors in the room, many of whom have contributed millions to Democratic campaigns. One attendee described the mood as “electric,” stating, “It felt like the beginning of something big. Nancy was sharp, commanding, and unapologetic.”
Pelosi specifically cited Biden’s efforts in restoring transatlantic relations after Trump’s “America First” diplomacy, his economic leadership during inflation recovery years, and his staunch defense of reproductive rights and voting access as reasons for his elevated place in American presidential history.
“His administration may not always dominate the headlines the way Trump’s chaos does,” Pelosi noted, “but history will remember Joe Biden as a steady hand during a time of extraordinary turbulence.”
Critics were quick to pounce. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise blasted Pelosi’s comments as “detached from reality,” arguing that Biden has presided over “economic stagnation, geopolitical weakness, and a border catastrophe.” He added, “If this is what greatness looks like to the Democrats, then America should be very worried.”
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri went even further, accusing Pelosi of engaging in what he called “deliberate psychological warfare” against Trump supporters. “Calling the former president mentally unfit is not just reckless—it’s a dangerous rhetorical escalation,” Hawley said in a statement.
The political tension between Pelosi and Trump is nothing new. Their mutual disdain dates back to the early years of Trump’s presidency, when Pelosi famously tore up his State of the Union speech on national television in 2020.
Throughout Trump’s term, Pelosi was one of his fiercest critics and played a leading role in both of his impeachment proceedings.
However, her latest comments are among the most personal and dramatic yet, according to historians and analysts who monitor political rhetoric. “This goes beyond policy disagreements,” said Dr. Linda Callahan, a professor of political communication at Stanford University.
“Pelosi is framing Trump as mentally unfit and Biden as historically great—that’s an explicit contrast designed to reinforce the core Democratic message heading into 2026.”
The Biden White House has not commented on Pelosi’s remarks, though a senior adviser confirmed that the president “appreciates the Speaker’s loyalty and continued belief in the mission we’re carrying out on behalf of the American people.”
Despite her age—Pelosi is now 85—the former speaker remains a towering presence in Democratic politics. Her role behind the scenes as a strategic adviser and top-tier fundraiser has only grown since she stepped away from leadership after the 2022 midterms.
Those close to her say she remains deeply engaged in defending Democratic policies and fiercely committed to preventing a Trump comeback.
And she is not alone. In the past few months, Democratic leaders have coalesced around a shared strategy of contrasting Biden’s perceived calm and stability with Trump’s unpredictability. Pelosi’s comments have now made that strategy explicitly personal.
While some Democrats worry that attacking Trump’s mental state could backfire, others argue that the stakes are too high for caution. “If Donald Trump is the nominee—and God help us if he wins—then we need to be brutally honest about what that means,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). “Nancy Pelosi is just saying what a lot of us believe.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign has already moved into counterattack mode. A senior Trump campaign adviser released a statement late Thursday saying, “Pelosi’s comments are nothing but a distraction from the complete failure of the Biden presidency.
Inflation is out of control, our borders are open, our streets are unsafe, and our enemies are emboldened. Joe Biden can’t string two sentences together without a teleprompter. That’s the real mental health crisis.”
Conservative media figures also weighed in with fury. Fox News host Jesse Watters dedicated an entire segment to Pelosi’s comments, calling them “unhinged slander from a woman who’s clearly lost her grip on reality.”
Others, however, see the strategy behind the drama. “Pelosi knows what she’s doing,” said political analyst Eleanor Knight. “She’s rallying the base, energizing donors, and sharpening the battlefield lines. Biden’s approval ratings may be low, but Pelosi is telling Democrats: ‘Don’t retreat. Double down.’”
Still, some Democratic moderates urged restraint. “I respect Speaker Pelosi enormously,” said Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), “but we should focus on policy differences, not personal attacks. Let’s beat Trump on ideas, not insults.”
Yet for Pelosi, this appears to be personal. In one of the leaked portions of her speech, she reportedly told donors, “Donald Trump is not just another Republican. He is a symptom of something darker. And if we do not confront it head-on, we risk losing this country for generations.”
With her political instincts honed over decades of Washington warfare, Pelosi may be laying the groundwork for what Democrats see as the most consequential political battle of modern times: Biden versus Trump, Round Two.
Whether her words will inspire, backfire, or simply polarize further remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—Pelosi has never been one to hold back. And as the 2026 campaign season accelerates, the war of words is just beginning.
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