Nancy Pelosi was interviewed by Lesley Stahl on “60 Minutes” she made several contentious claims about her role in urging Joe Biden to step aside from the 2024 race.
Despite insisting she saw no signs of Biden’s mental decline, Pelosi also argued that Biden deserves a spot on Mount Rushmore, citing his numerous achievements and leadership qualities.
Here’s an excerpt from their conversation:
STAHL: Please tell us what you told President Biden to persuade him to step aside.
PELOSI: Well, I’ve never shared any conversations with the President of the United States publicly. No.
STAHL: It’s said that he’s furious at you. Is he?
PELOSI: Well, he knows that I love him very much.
STAHL: I understand that you don’t want to own this, but it is so well reported that you were the leader of a pressure campaign.
PELOSI: No, I wasn’t the leader of any pressure campaign. I didn’t call one person. I could always say to him, I never called anybody. What I’m saying is, I had confidence that the President would make the proper choice for our country, whatever that would be.
STAHL: Had you seen a decline in Joe Biden, and did you think he needed to step aside?
PELOSI: No. My whole point was whatever he decides. But we have to have a more aggressive campaign.
Pelosi went on to praise Biden’s accomplishments, including his leadership at the NATO summit, describing him as “a consequential president” and suggesting he is worthy of being on Mount Rushmore:
PELOSI: So he was in a good place to make whatever decision, top of his game. Such a consequential President of the United States, a Mount Rushmore kind of President of the United States.
STAHL: You think that he belongs up there on Mount Rushmore? Lincoln and Joe Biden?
PELOSI: You’ve got Teddy Roosevelt up there, and he’s wonderful. I don’t say take him down, but you can add Biden.
In her statements, Pelosi firmly denied any involvement in a campaign to push Biden out of the race, instead highlighting his strong performance and achievements as President.