Nancy Pelosi says tearing up Trump’s 2020 State of the Union speech was spontaneous

WASHINGTON, DC: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said tearing up President Donald Trump’s 2020 State of the Union speech was a spontaneous reaction, not a planned political gesture. Speaking during a recent conversation with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, Pelosi explained that the moment unfolded naturally as she listened to what she described as repeated falsehoods in Trump’s address.

Pelosi said the now-viral moment was driven by frustration rather than strategy, adding that she had no intention of making a statement when she walked into the chamber that night. The act, however, quickly became one of the most talked-about political images of Trump’s presidency.

Nancy Pelosi says tearing up Trump’s speech was spontaneous

Pelosi recalled that the decision to rip the pages came in real time as Trump continued speaking. She said the speech struck her as misleading from the start, prompting her reaction.

“People like the tearing up of the speech. I didn’t intend to go to the speech to tear it up,” Pelosi said. “I just, the first part of it, I tore a page because he was lying. And then the next page, then the next page. I thought it was a manifesto of lies all throughout, so I better tear up the whole speech.”

She added that the physical act itself was not as easy as it appeared.

“Now, the speeches are on strong paper, so you have to do it a few times to get it done. But I had no intention of doing that. I thought my staff was going to die,” she said.

Pelosi noted that the moment surprised even those closest to her, reinforcing that it was not staged or premeditated.

Nancy Pelosi reflects on Trump finger-pointing photo

During the same conversation, Pelosi also addressed another widely circulated image from 2019 showing her pointing her finger at Trump during a White House meeting that included Cabinet members.

She said the photograph has since become one of the most requested items for autographs.

“You know what I’m saying when I go out the door? I’m leaving here because I’ve had it with you, Mr. President. With you, all roads lead to Putin," Pelosi recalled telling Karl.

She added that the White House had released the image and criticized her at the time, labeling her “crazy,” but said the moment ultimately worked in her favor.

“They did me a favor,” she said.

Nancy Pelosi reflects on her political legacy

When asked how she hopes to be remembered, Pelosi pointed to the Affordable Care Act as her most significant achievement.

“I’m very proud of the Affordable Care Act. I think it just made a big change in terms of what working families need for their health and their financial health,” she said.

Pelosi added that the legislation helped improve long-term financial stability for millions of Americans and remains central to her legacy.

“We will continue to have that fight. It’s not a value that is shared with the Republicans,” she said, adding that the law addressed both healthcare access and economic security for families across the country.