Former Speaker of the House and California Democrat Rep. Nancy Pelosi has revealed her reason for entering politics, facing immediate mockery.
Pelosi said it was not the power, fame, or boatloads of cash she had earned during her tenure in the House of Representatives, which, some believe, came via shady stock trades with insider information obtained via her elected position.
Others believe that her decision to remain in politics stems from her deep hatred for President Donald Trump and her desire to be a formidable opponent.
But when she spoke to former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on MSNBC last week, she gave none of those as her reasons for getting into politics.
The Democratic representative gave a familiar political refrain, and one she has used in a variety of settings and for many pieces of legislation, as her motivation.
“My whole mission in politics is about the children,” she said, prompting immediate backlash on X.
“Her bank account would beg to differ,” one X user who shared the video said.
“She’s starting to sound more like Joe the more she talks,” another X user said.
“Not a single person on planet Earth believes that,” another quipped.
“Nancy Pelosi says she joined Congress for the children. ‘1 out of 5 children is living in poverty.’ No Nancy, you went into politics so you could insider trade and make hundreds of millions of dollars,” another X user said in a more pointed comment.
“Nancy Pelosi says her political mission is ‘about the children’ — so that’s why her stock portfolio’s better than Warren Buffett’s?” another said.
“Nancy Pelosi says her mission as a politician is to help children,” activist Oil London said. Pelosi, who is worth an estimated $120 million, said she ‘went from the kitchen to Congress, for the children.’
But “for the children” has been a popular talking point for Pelosi over the years.
“And always For The Children: building a future where every child can reach his or her fulfillment, free from the fear of gun violence,” she said in a June 2022 speech in the House.
“If you want to go into the arena, you have to be prepared to take a punch. And you have to be prepared to throw a punch—for the children,” she said at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
“We’re not resting until we get this job done, and today we’re taking a giant step in that direction for the children,” she said on March 11, 2022 in a speech about passing new gun legislation.
She has been no stranger to invoking “the children” on X either, with three instances coming this month.
“As a mother and a Member, I was proud to join @MomsRising this week to highlight the importance of protecting America’s working moms and families. While Republicans push forward with abhorrent cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, Democrats are fighting back For The Children!” she said on May 9.
“Public education is not only essential For The Children and for our communities — it is essential for our Democracy. Nothing brings more money to the Treasury than the dollars spent educating America’s children. Invest in our future — tell Republicans, #DontDefundPublicSchools!” she said on May 14.
“3 years since 19 children and 2 educators were murdered at school in #Uvalde, our progress to end gun violence in their name is at risk. House Republicans just voted to make gun silencers more accessible — making everyone less safe. Democrats are fighting back For The Children,” she said on Saturday.
It is plausible that the former Speaker mentions “the children” so much because she is sincere in saying that they have been her driving motivation.
Or should could just be a politically savvy snake who uses “the children” as cover for the radical policies she wants.