(CNSNews.com) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.), appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Wednesday, said that President Donald Trump in his Tuesday night debate with former Vice President Joe Biden “would not disassociate himself from white supremacists and terrorists in our country.”
Host Mika Brzezinski, referencing the debate, asked Pelosi for her “thoughts on what happened last night and what would you call it?”
“Well, it was really a sad night for our country in that the President of the United States would not disassociate himself from white supremacists and terrorists in our country,” said Pelosi.
“I lost a lot of sleep last night over that one fact, but I did know that he has never respected the dignity of his office and he demonstrated that last night,” she said.
“I think one thing he did present,” Pelosi added, “was the authenticity of who he is, with disregard for bringing our country together, with any knowledge of the challenge we face with the coronavirus, with catering to his base by saying what he said about the Proud Boys and white supremacists.”
In fact, during the debate when moderator Chris Wallace asked Trump whether he was “will tonight to condemn white supremacists and militia groups,” Trump said: “Sure.”
The exchange went as follows:
Chris Wallace: “You have repeatedly criticized the vice president for not specifically calling out Antifa and other left-wing extremist groups --
President Donald Trump: “That's right.”
Wallace: “But are you willing tonight to condemn white supremacists and militia groups—.”
Trump: “Sure.”
Wallace: “--and to say that they need to stand down and not add to the violence in a number of these cities, as we saw in Kenosha and as we've seen in Portland?”
Trump: “Sure, I'm willing to do that but--.”
Wallace: “Are you prepared to specifically--.”
Biden: “Then do it.”
Wallace: “Well, go ahead, sir.”
Trump: “I would say -- I would say almost everything I see is from the left wing, not from the right wing.”
Mika Brzezinski: “Joining us now, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California. Madam Speaker, your thoughts on what happened last night and what would you call it?
Speaker Nancy Pelosi: “Well, it was really a sad night for our country in that the President of the United States would not disassociate himself from white supremacists and terrorists in our country. I lost a lot of sleep last night over that one fact, but I did know that he has never respected the dignity of his office and he demonstrated that last night.
“I think one thing he did present was the authenticity of who he is, with disregard for bringing our country together, with any knowledge of the challenge we face with the coronavirus, with catering to his base by saying what he said about the Proud Boys and white supremacists."