Biden Cuts Contact with Pelosi Following Forced Election Exit

The long-standing friendship between President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appears to be facing significant strain, with the two political heavyweights reportedly not having spoken since July 21, 2024.

This date marked Biden’s decision to exit the 2024 presidential race, a move that sources say was heavily influenced by Pelosi’s behind-the-scenes efforts. The White House / Wikimedia

As reported by The New York Times on Wednesday, Pelosi, who has been a close ally of Biden for over five decades, played a crucial role in the campaign to pressure him out of the race. Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pelosi’s actions were followed by a nationwide tour promoting her new book, The Art of Power, during which she did not shy away from criticizing Biden’s political team for its shortcomings.

The Times noted that this was an “opportunity to disparage Biden’s political team for failing.” Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK

The public fallout of their once-solid relationship seems to be taking an emotional toll on Pelosi. In an interview with The New Yorker earlier this month, the 84-year-old admitted to losing sleep over her strained ties with Biden.

When asked about the prospect of reconciliation, she expressed hope and deep emotion, saying, “I hope so, I pray so, I cry so.” William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

In her book, Pelosi also reflected on Biden’s support during a difficult time in her personal life, recalling how he was “so prayerful, kind, and thoughtful” after the 2022 attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Biden, for his part, has not publicly addressed the rift in detail. However, multiple reports suggest that he was deeply hurt by the pressure to step down from the race.

According to Politico, sources close to Biden revealed that he views Pelosi as “ruthless” for leading the charge to “usher him out the door.” Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

The report also indicated that Biden harbors some frustrations with other prominent Democrats, including Barack Obama and Chuck Schumer, though he is beginning to accept the necessity of their actions. SHAWN THEW/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK

Despite the apparent tension, Biden seems to acknowledge Pelosi’s motives. According to Politico, Biden reportedly told a confidant that Pelosi “did what she had to do” to give Democrats the best shot at winning in November, adding that she “cares about the party,” not personal feelings. William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Biden’s only public remark on the situation came in a CBS interview over the weekend, where he explained his decision to withdraw from the race, citing concerns that discussions about his mental capacity had become too much of a distraction.

“I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic,” Biden said. “You’d be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say [something], why did so—and—and I thought it’d be a real distraction.” Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

The future of Biden and Pelosi’s friendship remains uncertain. Both have been influential figures in the Democratic Party since their election to Congress in the 1970s and 1980s and are often regarded as the most prominent members of the Silent Generation in American politics. The Biden White House / Wikimedia

Their mutual admiration was on display as recently as May when Biden awarded Pelosi the Presidential Medal of Freedom, praising her as the “greatest speaker of the House of Representatives in history.”

Pelosi, in turn, has spoken highly of Biden, even suggesting he deserves a place on Mount Rushmore. “A Mount Rushmore kind of president of the United States,” she said on 60 Minutes. “You have Teddy Roosevelt up there. And he’s wonderful. I don’t say take him down. But you can add Biden.” The Biden White House / Wikimedia

As the 2024 election draws nearer, the impact of this rift on the Democratic Party remains to be seen, but the once-unbreakable bond between Biden and Pelosi appears to be hanging by a thread. Office of U.S. House Speaker / Wikimedia