Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she doesn't think former Republican President Donald Trump is "on the level" during a joint sit-down interview over dinner with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Speaking to CNN reporter Jamie Gangel, Pelosi joked that she didn't think "we should talk about him while we’re eating." She then suggested there’s “a need for an intervention there by his family or somebody.”
Pelosi did find time to praise Democratic President Joe Biden however, saying she believes he "has done an excellent job as President of the United States" and that she hopes "he does seek re-election."
You can hear what Pelosi said in the video below.
\u201cThis is epic. Nancy Pelosi doesn\u2019t want to talk about Donald Trump while she\u2019s eating lunch. (Video: CNN)\u201d— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1671196079
Asked "what it would mean" if Trump ran a successful presidential campaign, Pelosi said:
"I don't think that we should talk about him while we're eating. Really? Another Trump presidency? ...
"I think there's a need for an intervention there by his family or somebody."
"I don't think he's on the level, no."
Schumer himself also scoffed at the idea of another Trump presidency, saying he doesn't "think it will happen" because "the American people have gotten wise to it," referencing Trump's litany of scandals, which include ongoing investigations into his theft of classified documents from the White House as well as into the role he played on January 6, 2021, the day a mob of Trump's supporters attacked the United States Capitol on the false premise the 2020 general election had been stolen.
Schumer went on to say that he believes Pelosi "instinctively knew how to handle Trump" because she has "raised five children" and Trump "ultimately was a child."
Indeed, many applauded the Speaker's honesty and abject dismissal of Trump.
\u201cNancy is speaking her mind. \ud83d\udd25\u201d— lelupinske \ud83d\udc30 (@lelupinske \ud83d\udc30) 1671222850
\u201cNancy Pelosi, everyone. A model for all of us.\u201d— Jane Roe has HOPE. Adoptee. Pro-choice. \ud83e\udd82 (@Jane Roe has HOPE. Adoptee. Pro-choice. \ud83e\udd82) 1671217839
\u201cNo one quite throws shade like Nancy.\u201d— Project Strudel (@Project Strudel) 1671215181
\u201cLike a boss. Always like a boss. Effortlessly owns the menace to the public.\u201d— bmichael (@bmichael) 1671214452
\u201cGod, I love her so much!! \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\ude0e\u201d— Hillary Was Right About Everything (@Hillary Was Right About Everything) 1671214557
\u201c\u201cI think there\u2019s a need for an intervention there\u201d \ud83e\udd23\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffb #TrumpIsALaughingStock\u201d— KIWIChar (@KIWIChar) 1671214633
\u201cI'm with her.\u201d— Sharon Smith \ud83d\udd25\u2692\ufe0f \ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83c\udfed (@Sharon Smith \ud83d\udd25\u2692\ufe0f \ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83c\udfed) 1671244825
\u201cI love @SpeakerPelosi. She is fierce, she is competent, compassionate, makes life better for all Americans, and doesn\u2019t suffer \u201cinsane\u201d fools.\u201d— Mattison (@Mattison) 1671209304
\u201cThis is such an Italian mom response \ud83d\ude02 I love her #Pelosi\u201d— Jennifer (@Jennifer) 1671211313
Pelosi's appearance on CNN comes mere days after her official portrait was unveiled in the House of Representatives. Pelosi had earlier announced that she will retire from Democratic Party leadership after her role as Speaker concludes this year.
Many politicians—including Schumer, of course—paid tribute to Pelosi during the ceremony. Former Democratic President Barack Obama honored Pelosi in a brief video appearance. Others, like House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy—whose own bid for the Speaker position is currently imperiled—sat in silence during the event.