Watch Nancy Pelosi rip up Trump's State of the Union speech


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) didn't have to say a word to let the world know she was not a fan of President Trump's State of the Union address.
Trump was able to get in several digs against not only current Democratic lawmakers, but also former President Barack Obama and his administration. As soon as Trump concluded the speech, Pelosi picked up her copy of the address and began tearing it into pieces before dropping the shreds of paper onto her desk.
When asked by reporters why she tore up the speech, Pelosi responded, "It was the courteous thing to do considering the alternative." Sorry, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — that was the Democratic response.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Greenpeace, Energy Transfer and the demise of environmental activism
The Explainer Court order forcing Greenpeace to pay $660m over pipeline protests will have 'chilling' impact on free speech, campaigners warn
By The Week UK Published
-
The UK's best spa towns
The Week Recommends From Bath to Buxton, these historic towns are perfect for a relaxing break
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: March 25, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Canada's Mark Carney calls snap election
speed read Voters will go to the polls on April 28 to pick a new government
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Musk set to earn billions from Trump administration
Speed Read Musk's company SpaceX will receive billions in federal government contracts in the coming years
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reports: Musk to get briefed on top secret China war plan
Speed Read In a major expansion of Elon Musk's government role, he will be briefed on military plans for potential war with China
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump signs order to end Education Department
Speed Read The move will return education 'back to the states where it belongs,' the president says
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses $175M for Penn over trans athlete
Speed Read The president is withholding federal funds from the University of Pennsylvania because it once allowed a transgender swimmer to compete
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump purports to 'void' Biden pardons
Speed Read Joe Biden's pardons of Jan. 6 committee members are not valid because they were done by autopen, says Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
White House ignores judicial deportation blocks
Speed Read The Trump administration deports alleged Venezuelan gang members under a wartime law, defying a court order
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Schumer: Democrats will help pass spending bill
Speed Read The Democrats end the threat of government shutdown
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published