Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has publicly expressed doubts about President Joe Biden’s decision to remain in the 2024 White House race, suggesting that he may not have personally signed a recent letter reaffirming his commitment to the campaign. Pelosi, who has privately urged Biden to reconsider his candidacy, believes that the 81-year-old president is no longer making his own decisions.
Biden’s letter to congressional Democrats was intended to dispel rumors of his potential withdrawal, which arose after concerns were raised about his physical and mental fitness following a June 27 debate against Donald Trump. Despite his initial intentions, Biden exited the race two weeks later, facing backlash over his performance and mounting pressure to end his bid for reelection.
In a recent interview with New York Times columnist Ezra Klein, Pelosi expressed skepticism about the letter, stating, “It didn’t sound like Joe Biden to me. It really didn’t.” Her comments come on the heels of Biden’s admission that he had considered Pelosi’s influence when deciding to pass leadership to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Speculation about Pelosi’s motives intensified after she appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” shortly after Biden’s letter was released, suggesting that it was up to the president to decide whether to continue his campaign. Some commentators interpreted her remarks as a subtle nudge for Biden to step aside.
Pelosi’s public statements were reportedly accompanied by private discussions with Biden, during which she questioned his chances of winning based on polling data. Sources indicate that Pelosi has not spoken with Biden since his decision to drop out of the race.
Despite the tension, Pelosi appears to be making efforts to repair her longstanding relationship with Biden, praising him as a “consequential” president. In a recent interview with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki, Pelosi emphasized her family’s deep affection for Biden, calling him and First Lady Jill Biden “remarkable” and reflecting on their decades-long friendship.
