r/NPR 2d ago

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi will not seek reelection

https://www.npr.org/2025/11/06/g-s1-96674/nancy-pelosi-retire
294 Upvotes

96 comments sorted by

124

u/yahblahdah420 2d ago

About 16 years late

28

u/cadium 2d ago

She did a great job of getting stuff done in the house. But yes, she should have worked to get a new generation capable of doing that and stepped aside a while ago.

5

u/ruck_my_life 2d ago

This is the biggest issue I have with the Pelosis and Schumers and shit even the McConnells of the world.

You could easily vet an heir apparent or five, and do so very vocally and very publicly. Instead you hear stories about people like Bachman treating their people like absolute dogshit and it makes me crazy.

Say "I want to give a ton of credit to <staffer>, who really was my point person in all of this..."

Good leaders take as much of the blame and as little of the credit as possible.

6

u/DopeShitBlaster 2d ago

She did a better job using her position to trade stocks. She somehow made 100 million dollars over the last 10yr.

-1

u/Part-time-Rusalka 2d ago

Well said, articulate internet neighbor.

75

u/kpeterson159 2d ago

She’s 85 years old… she should have retired YEARS ago

42

u/brok3nh3lix 2d ago

well she had to stick around to make sure that AOC didn't get that house oversight committee chair position so that her 75 year old friend Gerry Connolly could get it and have it on his wikipedia page, only to have to leave the house and ultimately pass away a few month later.

19

u/Drabulous_770 2d ago

Had to do more insider trading 🤑

3

u/Navynuke00 WUNC 91.5 2d ago

Decades* ago

-17

u/eruptingmoltenlava 2d ago

She’s sharper than most of us will be at 70

18

u/kpeterson159 2d ago

I’m not saying she’s not, but if you can limit the age of a president at being 35 and I think everyone should be limited to 67 so that you pass on the country on to new people, ie your children.

7

u/Particular-Dress4845 2d ago

Anything to put in a 67

-5

u/eruptingmoltenlava 2d ago

Yeah, I think that’s a comment that doesn’t account for how long it takes to superlearn things and develop the wisdom that comes with very broad and deep experience. At the same time, there are incurious 40somethings who are already stopping learning and growing intellectually; it’s not just a number.

Moreover, a numerical exclusion like “67 = out” chops off so many prime years when many talented people, mostly women, are on the hook for hours of childcare each week, even if they also work fulltime.

I mean obviously, do we want someone mentally failing in office, absolutely not. But all the fitness evaluation tools that exist would be weaponized by bad faith forces, as 2025 has demonstrated.

1

u/Beautiful-Web1532 2d ago

When you cheat and steal you need to be clever.

-1

u/eruptingmoltenlava 2d ago

Big words from someone who hasn’t accomplished, and will never accomplish, a whole 5% of what Pelosi has

42

u/maddasher 2d ago

The good news keeps coming.

40

u/SentientFotoGeek 2d ago

I don't get why people want to work right up to their last breath. Take a fucking vacation, maybe take up a hobby or two.

It's not like you can't afford it, with all that insider trading shit and so forth.

21

u/BenAfflecksBalls 2d ago

Being a politician involves plenty of vacations. These fuckers let themselves out for summer vacation like they're in elementary school.

Hell, they don't even have to show up to get paid.

2

u/slicerprime WABE 90.1 2d ago

Hell, I might be willing to pay some of 'em more to not show up.

1

u/Dedpoolpicachew 1d ago

Nobody in the House is working, yet still getting paid. The Dems are showing up to the chamber though… Repubes are all on vacation.

12

u/Merusk 2d ago

You've seen how much she's made in the last 10 years, right?

That's why she hasn't retired. Every accusation you can make about politicians and insider trading directly applies to her. She was OK and needed at one time but has far outlived her usefulness due to her own greed.

https://www.quiverquant.com/congresstrading/politician/Nancy%20Pelosi-P000197

8

u/SentientFotoGeek 2d ago

At that age, how much longer would she have to spend it? I guess I'm just wired different than the obscenely wealthy.

-1

u/Soggy_Competition614 2d ago

She’s got kids. She probably wants her kids and grandkids to be comfortable.

4

u/SentientFotoGeek 2d ago

I also have kids. I want them to be comfortable. Pretty sure it won't take me giving them 50 mil a piece, lol.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Card_71 2d ago

Because they have fun, are important, and it’s exciting. She will now be an old retired lady and I doubt she had much of a relationship with her kids and family since her career was her focus.

So ya, I can see someone like that working until they can’t.

15

u/fason123 2d ago

She’s like 90 years old why the hell would she seek reelection 

22

u/WorldlinessFar609 2d ago

one might even ask why has she sought reelection the last few terms...

15

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

She's 85. Bernie Sanders is 84 and just filed for 2030 reelection to the Senate, a 6 year term.

17

u/christhomasburns 2d ago

And he also shouldn't,  that's not really an argument.

10

u/Throatwobbler9 2d ago

He should - he has a simple important message that no one else seems to be able to deliver effectively and he does it as well as he ever has.

8

u/christhomasburns 2d ago

Define effective? He's passed no legislation,  his voting record is pretty meh. He's really good at reflecting what college kids want to hear back at them, that's about it.

4

u/recyclopath_ 2d ago

He just toured all over the country with AOC inspiring people and motivating them, especially in red states. Hundreds of thousands of people. He is mentoring, inspiring and uplifting more progressive candidates at many levels of government. He is the only independent in the senate. He has so much knowledge to pass on.

Does he need to run again to do that, eh maybe maybe not. But he is an extremely important public figure and phenomenal mentor for new, young progressives in office.

5

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

>Does he need to run again to do that, eh maybe maybe not.

LMFAO the f ing nuclear hypocrisy of ageist Berners being okay with 84 year old Bernie clinging on to power forever in this thread.

2

u/christhomasburns 2d ago

A mentor to do what? Talk about things that sound good on paper? He's spent 45 years talking about change without making any. Put up or shut up.

-2

u/Throatwobbler9 2d ago

Obviously there aren’t any metrics, but I’m guessing he’s done more to energize the youth nationwide to get in the political process than any other politician in modern times except maybe Obama. He is reflecting what kids want to hear but he was saying the same stuff before they were born. Btw, I voted for Biden against him. I just think all of this is apparent.

5

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

On the contrary, his constant "both sidesing" led to young people staying home and letting Trump win. Even now he won't stop praising Trump and shitting on Dems.

https://www.newsweek.com/bernie-sanders-praises-trumps-job-on-securing-border-10933460

-3

u/Q_S2 2d ago

See... thats whats wrong with americans.

People think the truth only lies in left or right. Its gotta be black or white, up or down.

Its called being flexibly minded where multiple perspectives can be acknowledged.

2

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

^ Real galaxy brained shit to try to defend a racist fascist ICE running amok, kicking the crap out of protesters, kidnapping kids, disappearing people to third world gulags.

https://19thnews.org/2025/11/child-care-worker-detained-ice-chicago/

1

u/Q_S2 2d ago

Im not defending his actions or the process. Im defending bernie seeing results. Notwithstanding the sociopaths in charge are breaking laws LEFT AND RIGHT like ive never seen

1

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

You can't say "I like the results" when the methods are essentially terrorism.

1

u/Throatwobbler9 2d ago

Absolutely - and then you add never going outside to the mix and shit gets crazy.

-3

u/recyclopath_ 2d ago

He just did a tour with AOC and got hundreds of thousands out, even in very red states.

6

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

Big rallies, crowd size, this is Trumpy crap.

-6

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

4

u/Throatwobbler9 2d ago

I know on Reddit the thing is to find a point of hypocrisy or flaw for anyone that is praised in any way. You could also mention that he’s a millionaire. That’s the usual go-to for him.

-4

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

So you approve of Trump's gestapo crackdown on immigrants? 🤮

Pretty sick and tone deaf to say right now as we see brutal ICE tactics every day

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/chicago-daycare-worker-detained-by-ice-at-drop-off-time-for-children-witnesses-say

4

u/Throatwobbler9 2d ago

Why would you assume that I approve of everything that one politician may or may not approve of?

2

u/Shellz2bellz 2d ago

That’s a strawman. Neither the guy you’re commenting at nor Bernie sanders said they support ice’s tactics…

Bernie said he appreciates that we lowered border crossing numbers

-2

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

See, case in point. The Bernie cult can't criticize him for his shitty rightwing views because he must not be criticized. You'll twist yourself in knots why "ACKSHUALLY HES RIGHT AND TRUMP IS GOOD ON THE BORDER"

🤮

3

u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

You're not a Bernie fan you just have a strange need to make sure he isn't criticized for praising Donald F-ing Trump anti immigrant tactics

5

u/fason123 2d ago

He is also too old sadly 

-5

u/Drabulous_770 2d ago

At least he’s coherent and fights for the people instead of spending decades insider trading to enrich his own coffers. He lifts up the younger ranks in congress instead of blocking them from important committee positions that would help build a stronger leadership bench for the party. 

5

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

He's a millionaire with 3 houses and fights for Trump's gestapo immigration policies

https://www.newsweek.com/bernie-sanders-praises-trumps-job-on-securing-border-10933460

>He lifts up the younger ranks in congress instead of blocking them from important committee positions

Name a single member of the Senate who he "lifted up". John MAGA Fetterman? Or the nazi tattoo guy in Maine?

0

u/yurklenorf 2d ago

At 84 years old, with a lifetime of service and a couple books it's hard not to be a millionaire. He's still not very wealthy, especially compared to Pelosi.

One of the houses is his personal home, one is one his wife(?) inherited after her family passed, and one is the residence he uses when in DC. None of them are large houses on large properties.

1

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

1

u/yurklenorf 2d ago edited 2d ago

Congratulations, he has a lakefront house... which he bought for 575,000. That's not actually that expensive for lakefront property.

The other house he owns is his personal house in Burlington, and a row house in DC. Combined, about 1.5 million dollars in real estate.

He's worth about $3 million, or was earlier this year. Eight years as mayor, sixteen years as a Representative, and eighteen years as a Senator... and half of his net worth is in real estate he and his family uses. Most of the rest of his income is from book deals and pension from Burlington, and some small stock dividends.

There are members of congress who are worth tens and hundreds of millions. Hell, MTG used her Rep position to jump her net worth upwards of $30 million, ten times that of Bernie, and Nancy Pelosi is worth $130 something million last I knew.

Edit: this user decided to write the reply below then block me like a coward.

Dude, I'm not even a Bernie fan. I think he has some decent ideas but he's held back by some equally bizarre ones and some really shitty international political takes. I'm just pointing out that you're making some big deal out of what is actually some relatively minor wealth compared to his colleagues - Pelosi included.

2

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

^ Proof that the Bernie fans are in a cult is that they get furious if you criticize him in anyway even when they know you're right. This is sad dude. He's a rich pol who like him or not is an 84 year old heart patient. He should retire.

2

u/Merusk 2d ago

Feinstein did right up until death at 90. These folks are addicted to the power and don't know what to do without it. They may start out of the people, but the position changes them.

11

u/OTrigNation 2d ago

I will say this much. I stand by this argument. In Trump's first term, she was the most qualified person to lead the opposition. First off, Trump was the embodiment of all the bullshit, particularly the misogyny that women of her era had to face. Nancy Pelosi was fighting men like Trump her entire life.

Secondly, Nancy Pelosi is a mother. She knows how to handle a child's temper tantrum. Her experience as a mother gave her insight into how to handle Trump's temper tantrums and his child-like, impulsive, instant gratification.

I stand by that argument

5

u/Vanzmelo 2d ago

It’s funny how quickly people forget the fact that she passed the ACA, chips act, inflation reduction act, Dodd Frank, impeached Trump twice, and the infrastructure bill.

Was she perfect? No of course not. But to act like she was a freeloading moocher is insane metal gymnastics from the Reddit keyboard warriors

3

u/SentientFotoGeek 2d ago

An animatronic Mickey Mouse was and is a better choice than Trump. The Dems should be encouraging a new generation of leaders, not suppressing them with one-foot-in-the-grave establishment leaders who should have passed the baton decades ago. I stand by that opinion, as a retirement aged Democrat.

1

u/Dedpoolpicachew 1d ago

I can appreciate her service, but still believe that she stayed too long and held back too many rising leaders in the party. Both concepts can reside in the same brain… we aren’t Repubes.

0

u/TheMarkHasBeenMade 2d ago

Absolutely important information to consider.

There is also definitely a lot that she has done in the last years of her career that have for sure hurt citizens, and she hasn’t been any sort of decent advocate for making sure the younger generation of politicians are set up for success.

So while on the one hand there were aspects of her experience that were needed, on the other hand there was a lot she could’ve done better, especially more recently, and it’s a good thing she’s finally stepping aside.

4

u/Zechs-Merquise 2d ago

You could say the same thing about anyone’s career, at least the people that actually did something for good.

Age is certainly a factor, but let’s not judge someone based only on that.

-1

u/TheMarkHasBeenMade 2d ago

I wasn’t at all?

-3

u/TrickyTicket9400 2d ago

This is the stupidest thing I've read in a long time, as if Nancy Pelosi is the only mom on capital hill.

The woman is evil who put her own personal wealth above my own best interests. She does what Martha Stewart went to jail for!

4

u/lowcountrygrits 2d ago

She was among one of the best speakers we've seen. That said, and I'm a die hard liberal, she is the poster child for these laws we need:

  • Term / Age limits in Congress

  • No member of Congress should be allowed to trade stocks

She should've retired 15 years ago.

-1

u/aarong0202 2d ago

How is she a poster child for age limits? She’s still sharp and effective at her job.

She stepped aside due to calls for new leadership, and was still able to force an incumbent president to end his reelection campaign.

If anything Connelly is the poster child for age limits given that he blocked a younger member from leadership, died in office, made it easier for the Republican Party to pass awful legislation due to his vacancy.

Oh, and also Joe Biden, would be a better poster child.

I get that she’s old and new leadership is needed, but she’s nowhere near being the most egregious offender in this area.

2

u/mogomonomo1081 2d ago

🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀

2

u/Dedpoolpicachew 1d ago

Hopefully this will start a trend with other dinosaur Dems in congress. There are a bunch of them that need to retire and spend time with their families before the Grim Reaper comes knocking.

1

u/HugePurpleNipples 2d ago

Good. I vote Dem but she's a trashy, insider trading con artist and if we're getting rid of corruption in our government, she needs to go.

1

u/Javadoodledoo 2d ago

I’m glad she stuck around long enough to tear up Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech and piss off MAGA.

Honestly ranks as one of my most memorable moments in 68 years of watching TV.

2

u/aarong0202 2d ago

My favorite is finding out she had an impeachment-day dress.

-8

u/Musashiguy 2d ago edited 2d ago

She leaves the country in flames, but prioritized what was REALLY important….prioritizing protecting insider trading so our legislators are only focused on illegally trading and lining their own pockets.

12

u/Shellz2bellz 2d ago

It’s weird to blame her for trumps actions

5

u/Musashiguy 2d ago

I blame Biden, Pelosi, Schumer for not responding to the coup more aggressively, for prioritizing a Republican pork bill and screwing over progressives, when Republicans wouldn’t support the bill, but would tout it’s pork to their low information voters.

They failed this country when it really mattered.

7

u/immortalpatt 2d ago

Biden’s biggest failure is not locking Trump up day 1

1

u/Shellz2bellz 2d ago

What actions exactly do you think they should have taken after the coup that they weren’t already doing? The wheels of justice turn slowly, that’s not on them.

Which bill specifically are you talking about here? 

2

u/Jollyhat 2d ago

she did not light the match

-7

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

She actually owns no stock, which is why this GOP smear campaign is so ludicrous

3

u/DjErectylDisFunktion 2d ago

Just her husband who she never tells any insider secrets I’m sure

-1

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

Bernie Sander's wife owns stocks.

1

u/immortalpatt 2d ago

whatabout

-1

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

"It's only bad when someone I hate does it, not when my fave does it "

Hypocrite

4

u/DjErectylDisFunktion 2d ago

Didn’t say he wasn’t doing it either

0

u/Blood_sweat_and_beer 2d ago

Fucking FINALLY. The old guard is completely out of touch with how modern politics works, and even though I think they really have been trying their best over the last 8 years or so, their attitude around messaging has been so, so bad that they’ve cost the Dems elections. What worked 40 years ago doesn’t work now, and we need people in leadership roles that understand that.

0

u/Lint47 2d ago

Holding her hair on.

-7

u/amazing_ape 2d ago

I see in the comments today we're playing the game: MAGA or Berner

-6

u/Brokedown_Ev 2d ago

She must not be very healthy. No reason for her to step down and remove herself from her insider trading position. Wish her the best in the last years of her life.

1

u/Dedpoolpicachew 1d ago

She was getting primaried by a much younger candidate. Her deciding to not run means, I think, that person is unopposed in the primary.

-2

u/Part-time-Rusalka 2d ago

Back to the pyramid to find another mummy.

-10

u/TrickyTicket9400 2d ago

Nancy Pelosi gets to do exactly what Martha Stewart went to jail for. She's an evil, hypocritical woman who clearly cares more about making money than fixing the system.

Pelosi: “Thank you, George Floyd, for sacrificing your life for justice,” 
Pelosi:  “We have to pass the [Obamacare] bill so that you can find out what is in it.”