President Donald Trump reignited his long-running feud with Nancy Pelosi on Thursday, calling the former House Speaker an “evil woman” shortly after she announced her plans to retire at the end of her current term in 2027.
“I’m glad she’s retiring,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a press conference about lowering the cost of weight-loss drugs. “I think she did the country a great service by retiring. I thought she was an evil woman who did a poor job, who cost the country a lot in damages and in reputation.”
Pelosi’s Legacy and Trump’s Feud
Pelosi, 85, made her retirement announcement early Thursday morning in a video message, saying she would step down from representing San Francisco in Congress after nearly four decades. She was the first woman ever elected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and one of the most powerful figures in American politics.
“No matter what title I’ve held—speaker, leader, whip—there has been no greater honor for me than to stand on the House floor and say, ‘I speak for the people of San Francisco,’” Pelosi said in her statement.
Pelosi’s career has been deeply intertwined with her public clashes with Trump. She led the House through both of Trump’s impeachments: the first in 2019 over allegations of abuse of power, and the second in 2021 following the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6. The two frequently traded insults in public and through the media, shaping one of the most bitter rivalries in modern U.S. politics.
Long History of Clashes
Their hostility became iconic in February 2020 when Pelosi tore up a copy of Trump’s State of the Union address on live television. Trump later mocked the act in campaign rallies, calling it “disrespectful” and “disgraceful.” Pelosi, meanwhile, did not attend Trump’s inauguration this past January and has repeatedly denounced his political comeback efforts.
In a recent interview with CNN, Pelosi described Trump as a “vile creature,” claiming he “does not honor the Constitution.”
Trump’s latest comments mark yet another escalation in their feud. He has long labeled Pelosi a “crooked person” and “sick” during his campaign rallies and social media posts. Speaking Thursday, Trump added that Pelosi’s exit was “good for America.”
Pelosi’s Enduring Political Influence
Despite her polarizing reputation, Pelosi’s nearly 40-year career is marked by historic achievements, including passage of the Affordable Care Act, the COVID-19 relief packages, and the Inflation Reduction Act. She will retire as the first woman to have ever led a major political party in Congress and as one of the longest-serving House speakers in history.
For detailed coverage on Pelosi’s political career and Trump’s response, visit Reuters and The New York Times.