Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., voiced her disapproval of comments made by Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in which he suggested that the Democratic Party’s recent election losses stem from “abandoning” working-class voters.

Mar 7, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (R) chats with Democratic Representative from California Nancy Pelosi (L) in the House of Representatives ahead of US President Joe Biden’s third State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 7, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Shawn Thew/Pool via USA TODAY.

Pelosi’s remarks came during an appearance on The Interview podcast by The New York Times on Saturday, just days after Sanders publicly criticized the Democratic Party’s strategy.

Pelosi acknowledged her respect for Sanders but firmly disagreed with his assessment of the party’s direction. “With all due respect, and I have a great deal of respect for him [Sanders], for what he stands for, but I don’t respect him saying that the Democratic Party has abandoned the working-class families. That’s where we are,” she stated.

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She pointed to legislative accomplishments under President Biden, including COVID-19 relief measures and economic support programs, which she argued were designed to assist working families. Pelosi added, “Under President Biden, you see the rescue package, money in the pockets of people, the shots in the arm, children in school safely, working people back to work.”

Pelosi also took aim at the previous administration, contrasting Biden’s initiatives with former President Trump’s tax legislation, which she described as favoring the wealthy. “What did Trump do when he was president? One bill that gave a tax cut to the richest people in America,” she remarked.


Sanders’ critique was initially shared on X, where he posted that Democrats’ loss should “come as no great surprise.”

He cited a disconnect between Democratic leadership and working-class voters, asserting that both white and minority working-class communities had increasingly turned away from the party. Sanders commented, “While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change, and they’re right,” calling the campaign approach “disastrous.”

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Despite the party’s losses, Sanders achieved a decisive win in Vermont, securing 63.3% of the vote over Republican challenger Gerald Malloy.

However, across the country, Democratic candidates faced setbacks in significant House and Senate races. Republicans successfully gained control of the Senate and appear close to maintaining a majority in the House of Representatives.

President-elect Donald Trump also won all seven swing states, beating Kamala Harris in a landslide victory that defied pre-election polling, which had projected a tight race.

When asked about the significant shift in working-class voters, including those earning under $100,000, who favored Trump, Pelosi attributed the trend to “cultural issues.”

She referenced long-standing social topics that influence voter preferences, saying, “There are cultural issues involved in elections as well. Guns, God, and gays—that’s the way they say it.”

Pelosi’s remarks reflect a broader debate within the Democratic Party as it grapples with how to reconnect with a working-class base that has increasingly sided with Republicans.

As Democrats assess their losses and strategize for upcoming elections, this divide between party leaders like Pelosi and Sanders’ supporters will likely play a key role in shaping the party’s messaging and policy focus moving forward.

The post-election scrutiny comes as Republicans prepare to take control of the Senate and reinforce their legislative agenda, backed by a newly energized base of working-class voters who appear more aligned with Trump’s vision for America.

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