US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi became unhinged when CNN host Wolf Blitzer pressed her on why she hasn’t agreed to a compromise Covid-19 relief bill, going so far as to call the network “apologists for the Republican position.”
Tuesday’s outburst – which provided comic relief for critics of CNN’s anti-Trump and anti-conservative bias – came as Blitzer grilled Pelosi on why she hasn’t come to agreement with Republicans on economic-relief legislation after the Trump administration offered a $1.8 trillion package.
READ MORE: Trump approves ‘revised’ Covid-19 relief package, says ‘negotiations moving along’ ahead of treasury sec’s meeting with Pelosi
The interview went off the rails as Blitzer pointed at that some House Democrats want to accept the proposal, citing a tweet by Democrat Representative Ro Khanna saying the offer was more than double former President Barack Obama’s economic-stimulus program in 2009. “People in need can’t wait until February,” Khanna said, referencing when relief checks might go out if the issue is tabled until after the Nov. 3 election.
People in need can’t wait until February. 1.8 trillion is significant & more than twice Obama stimulus. It will allow Biden to start with infrastructure. Obama won in 08 by doing the right thing on TARP instead of what was expedient. Make a deal & put the ball in McConnell court. https://t.co/qAEtd049sW
“I don’t know why you’re always an apologist, and many of your colleagues apologists for the Republican position,” Pelosi told Blitzer. “Ro Khanna, that’s nice. That isn’t what we’re going to do, and nobody’s waiting until February.”
When even *CNN* and *Wolf Blitzer* are grilling Nancy Pelosi on why Democrats continue to reject any and all Republican stimulus offers, you know Dems might be playing politics. Watch as Pelosi snaps after failing to answer a basic question about why they won’t compromise. pic.twitter.com/Nt2hagv2Us
Blitzer persisted, pointing out that millions of Americans have lost their jobs and can’t pay their rent or buy food for their families. He said, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good” and cited a conversation with former Democrat presidential candidate Andrew Yang, who also favors compromise.
“Honest to God, you really, I can’t get over it,” Pelosi said. “Andrew Yang, he’s lovely. Ro Khanna, he’s lovely. They’re not negotiating this situation. They have no idea of the particulars.” She then told Blitzer that “you really don’t know what you’re talking about,” and said he needs to show “some level of respect” to the people who have worked on the legislation.
Spoiler alert — it got even more intense. Pelosi was totally unhinged. pic.twitter.com/mm3lFyeTjT
Rewinding to halfway through, Blitzer wonders if Pelosi doesn’t want to do a deal so she can keep Trump from notoriety, she lost it: “With all due respect, with all due respect — and you know we’ve known each other a long time, you really don’t know what you’re talking about.” pic.twitter.com/EIM6RRgkSr
Blitzer then tried to wrap up the interview, but both he and Pelosi resisted giving each other the last word. After Pelosi again told him he was wrong on the issue, Blitzer said, “It’s not about me, it’s about millions of Americans who can’t put food on the table, who can’t pay the rent.” Pelosi then talked over the host, saying, “We represent them, and we know them.”
As Blitzer again hinted that the interview was ending, thanking Pelosi, she snarked, “Thank you for your sensitivity to our constituents’ needs,” to which the host replied, “I am sensitive to them because I see them on the street begging for food, begging for money.” Pelosi was again triggered, saying, “Have you fed them? We feed them. We feed them.”
Here’s how the interview ended (after just over 14 minutes). Pelosi kept trying to have the last word, including probing Blitzer on whether he feeds and gives money to poor people on the streets of D.C. because, in her words, “we” (as in the federal government) “feed[s] them.” pic.twitter.com/E95ZZJeToi
Twitter users found the exchange hilarious, with journalist Glenn Greenwald saying, “This is simply unbelievable… Not sure I’ve ever seen a performance quite like this, especially given what’s at stake.” He added, “She feeds them.”
This is simply unbelievable. Watch until the end. Not sure I’ve ever seen a performance quite like this, especially given what’s at stake:pic.twitter.com/G1Xgmuqc1f
Conservative filmmaker Caleb Hull called Pelosi a “horrible, horrible human being,” but added, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thank you Wolf Blitzer for holding her accountable.” Cartoonist Scott Adams agreed, calling Blitzer’s line about Pelosi’s constituents begging for food, “one smooth shiv.”
Pelosi is a horrible, horrible human being. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thank you Wolf Blitzer for holding her accountable. pic.twitter.com/UIAvX2CplW
Wait for the end. ? See what Wolf says about observing Pelosi’s constituents begging for food on the streets. That is one smooth shiv. https://t.co/wKmjX0WOic
Podcast host Saagar Enjeti was among many observers who saw the interview proving that Pelosi’s refusal to compromise is an effort to make President Donald Trump look bad heading into the election. “She will let the country burn as long as it helps Biden’s re-election.” Journalist Curtis Houck agreed: “When even CNN and Wolf Blitzer are grilling Nancy Pelosi on why Democrats continue to reject any and all Republican stimulus offers, you know Dems might be playing politics.”
This entire thread. My god. She will let the country burn as long as it helps Biden’s re-election https://t.co/tBJvG2FGUc
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