Nancy Pelosi has finally revealed her role in eliminating Joe Biden from the race for president, saying: ‘I did what I had to do.’
The 81-year-old former Speaker of the House of Representatives revealed last night that her concern was “not about the president” but about “his campaign.”
Pelosi, asked by CNN during the Democratic National Convention if there was any “residual animosity” between her and Biden, said that “sometimes you have to take a beating for the kids.”
She then doubled down, saying Biden “made the decision for the country,” adding that “I have to do what I have to do.” She then pointed to the “exuberance” and “excitement” that arose following Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy.
The Democratic leader admitted more than a week ago that she pressured Biden, 81, to withdraw from the race for the White House because she feared he would no longer make his own decisions.
Reports suggest Biden is still angry with top Democrats — particularly Pelosi — for pushing him out of the race. But the president said in his own speech Monday night that it was “not true” that he holds a grudge.
Nancy Pelosi, asked by CNN on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention Monday night if there was any “residual animosity” between her and Joe Biden, finally revealed the role she played in dropping the president from the 2024 race.
Pelosi, pictured during Biden’s speech, said that “sometimes you have to take a hit for the kids.” She then doubled down, saying Biden “made the decision for the country” and adding that “I have to do what I have to do.”
CNN host Jake Tapper acknowledged that the decision to withdraw had been “very difficult” for Biden and questioned Pelosi about the perceived “residual animosity or resentment” between the two.
“Sometimes you have to take a punch for the kids,” she replied, to which co-host Dana Bash asked, “Who’s the puncher now?”
Tapper was directly referring to the secret feud between Pelosi and former top Biden adviser Anita Dunn, who told the network earlier Monday that “nobody wants to get into a fight with Nancy Pelosi right now.”
“I don’t know, I haven’t even heard this. I’m just hearing this now,” Pelosi replied, before pointing to Tapper and saying, “Maybe he’ll throw the punch, I don’t know.”
“I would never do that,” Tapper replied, before attempting to further clarify his questions about Dunn’s comments.
“I have to do what I have to do,” Pelosi interrupted. “He made the decision for the country. My concern wasn’t about the president; it was about his campaign.”
She went on to note that there has been “exuberance” and “excitement” in our country since Biden withdrew and endorsed Harris’ candidacy.
Pelosi also noted the “exuberance” and “excitement” that has followed Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy. Harris is pictured speaking at the DNC on Monday night
Delegates and supporters are pictured cheering on Kamala Harris as she takes the stage at the DNC at the United Center in Chicago on Monday night
Pelosi is seen clapping and cheering during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago
Pelosi claimed that a Democrat in Illinois “immediately signed up 1,100 volunteers for his campaign after that announcement was made.”
Tapper acknowledged that “no one doubted” that the Democratic Party was in a “much better position” with Harris as the nominee and tried to go even further.
But Pelosi interrupted, asking, “Why are we even talking about this?” Tapper then joked that CNN “brought in my script” and “they’re holding my cat hostage.”
Despite Biden’s good intentions, there was little doubt among delegates ahead of his speech Monday night that he was still angry about the manner in which he left office, a move that was orchestrated by allies from whom he expected loyalty, and directed from the top down.
The one he blames most – Pelosi – apparently missed the message.
“#ThankYouJoe,” she said on X, along with a photo of herself holding up one of the heart banners.
The former Speaker of the House also came across as less than convincing when he chanted “Thank you, Joe” during the president’s speech.
Pelosi admitted more than a week ago that she pressured Biden to withdraw from the race.
Nancy Pelosi looked less than convincing as she chanted “Thank you, Joe” during President Biden’s speech at the Democratic National Convention
The former House Speaker also went to X to thank the president, sharing a photo of herself holding up a “We Love Joe” banner
Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris speaks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on Monday
The longtime Democratic leader said in an interview with The New York Times on Friday that she intervened after Biden sent a July 8 letter to Congress reiterating his commitment to the election.
“I didn’t accept the letter as anything other than a letter,” she said. “It didn’t sound like Joe Biden to me. It really didn’t.”
In the letter, Biden said he was “determined” to stay in the race against Donald Trump, to avoid calls for him to step aside after his disastrous debate performance and increasingly poor poll numbers.
Her role in Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race has reportedly frustrated some of the president’s key allies.
“Nobody wants to mess with Nancy Pelosi right now because we are a united party,” Biden’s former adviser Dunn, who now works at a pro-Kamala Harris super PAC, said on CNN.
But the former chair responded on the first day of the DNC in Chicago by saying she “just wanted to win.”
“I have my relationship with the president and I just wanted to win this election. So if they’re angry, I feel sorry for them. But the country is very happy,” she explained. “I don’t know who they are, but you know that’s their problem. Not mine.”
Kamala Harris, smiling and seemingly beaming with joy, takes the stage at the DNC on Monday
President Joe Biden kisses Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris after his remarks at the Democratic National Convention Monday night
From left: Second Lord Doug Emhoff, Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden wave to the crowd after Biden’s speech at the Democratic National Convention on Monday night.
The president admitted earlier this month that Pelosi’s concerns about other Democratic elections played a role in his decision to withdraw from the race.
“A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and the Senate thought I would hurt them in the election,” Biden said in his first interview since ending his re-election campaign.
“And I was concerned that if I stayed in the race, that the topic would be — you would interview me about why Nancy Pelosi said [something] “…and I thought it would be a real distraction,” he said in the interview with CBS News Sunday Morning host Robert Costa.
A growing group of Democrats demanded that Biden withdraw from the race after his disastrous performance in the debate against Donald Trump in June.