It was one of the most unforgettable political images of the Trump era, and now Nancy Pelosi says it was never meant to happen.
Five years after tearing up Donald Trump‘s State of the Union speech on live television, the former House Speaker has admitted the moment was spontaneous, not premeditated, reigniting fierce debate over whether it was a principled protest or a petty display that defined a broken political age.
Pelosi Says The Moment Was Never Planned
Speaking to ABC News in a wide ranging interview, Nancy Pelosi insisted she did not arrive at the 2020 State of the Union intending to shred the president’s speech. According to Pelosi, the decision unfolded page by page as she listened to Donald Trump speak.
‘People like the tearing up of the speech. I didn’t intend to go to the speech to tear it up,’ Pelosi said. She explained that she initially tore one page after concluding Trump was lying, then continued through the rest of the document. ‘I thought it was a manifesto of lies all throughout, so I better tear up the whole speech.’
Pelosi added a practical detail that only added fuel to the spectacle’s legend. ‘The speeches are on strong paper, so you have to do it a few times to get it done,’ she said, joking that she feared her staff would ‘die’ when they realised what she was doing.
The image of Pelosi calmly ripping the pages behind Trump as he concluded his address instantly went viral and became a defining symbol of partisan hostility in Washington.
A Viral Image That Refuses To Fade
Despite stepping down from House leadership, Pelosi admitted the photograph still follows her everywhere. She revealed that people request her signature on that image more than on any other.
Pelosi described the act as one of several spontaneous moments that defined her relationship with Trump. ‘I’m leaving here because I’ve had it with you, Mr. President,’ she recalled thinking, adding her long standing accusation that ‘with you, all roads lead to Putin.’
Supporters see the moment as a bold stand against what they viewed as constant falsehoods. Critics, however, argue it reduced the Speaker of the House to a protester, undermining the dignity of Congress on a global stage.
Critics Call It Childish And Damaging
Conservatives have long pointed to the incident as evidence of Pelosi’s temperament, calling it juvenile and emblematic of Democratic hostility toward Trump rather than constructive governance.
Detractors argue the gesture overshadowed serious policy debate and hardened divisions at a time when political trust was already eroding. Some say the moment will define Pelosi’s legacy more than decades of legislative work, casting her as a symbol of performative politics.
Even now, critics question why Pelosi continues to defend the act instead of expressing regret. To them, her pride in the moment reinforces claims that Washington rewards spectacle over substance.
Pelosi, however, appears unbothered by such criticism, maintaining that Trump alone was responsible for the political climate that led to such confrontations.
Pelosi Warns Democrats On Impeachment Frenzy
In the same interview, Pelosi struck a more cautious tone when discussing the future of Democratic opposition to Trump. She appeared to warn House Democrats against rushing into another impeachment effort should they regain power.
‘I’ve said to people, the one person who was responsible for the impeachments of Donald Trump is Donald Trump,’ she said, arguing that his own actions forced Democrats’ hands during his first term.
Pelosi suggested that any future impeachment should be driven strictly by conduct, not political appetite, signalling concern over fatigue among voters weary of endless political warfare.
Her remarks reflect a delicate balancing act as Democrats attempt to criticise Trump without appearing consumed by him.
Originally published on IBTimes UK
