Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed she and President Joe Biden have spoken, easing a public rift stemming from his decision to leave the 2024 presidential race. Pelosi said she often receives more credit or blame than she deserves, praised Biden's record, and said she urged him to consult multiple pollsters and reassure voters he could serve a full term. She also lauded Kamala Harris's campaign for boosting turnout and likely preventing significant House losses.
Pelosi Confirms She Has Spoken With Biden, Addresses Rift Over His 2024 Exit
President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the White House on May 3, 2024.(Getty Images)
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed in a recent interview that she has spoken with President Joe Biden, bringing to a close a period of public strain that followed his decision to leave the 2024 presidential race.
Asked by MSN correspondent Ali Vitali whether Biden's withdrawal had become part of her legacy, Pelosi said she often receives "more credit or blame than I deserve" and praised the Biden administration's record, even comparing its accomplishments to those of Lyndon B. Johnson in scope and impact.
"Well, I don't know, how can I say this in a nice way? The Biden administration accomplished great things... I — the only thing I asked the president to do were two things — I get more credit or blame than I deserve in that."
Pelosi said the two things she had urged were that Biden consult additional pollsters rather than rely on a single source, and publicly assure voters that he could serve another full term. She said those suggestions were not adopted and that the decision to step aside was ultimately Biden's.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi speaks during a ceremony honoring Capitol Police officers on March 25, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
When pressed about whether she had spoken directly with Biden, Pelosi replied, "Yes we have," noting it would be up to the president to disclose when the conversation occurred. Reporters have also noted the two were recently seen having lunch together.
Pelosi had been cited by some as a factor in Biden's withdrawal after a July 2024 appearance on Morning Joe in which she suggested he remained undecided despite his earlier statements. Biden later withdrew from the race and endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's nominee.
Pelosi also praised Harris's short but vigorous campaign, calling it "great" and crediting it with mobilizing voters. She estimated that, without Harris at the top of the ticket, Democrats might have lost roughly 14 House seats.
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