Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was called out directly to her face by President Donald Trump during the 2026 State of the Union address — a brutal political slap in the face that even Democratic lawmakers cheered.
Trump drew bipartisan applause the address Tuesday night when he called for a ban on congressional insider trading, then immediately singled out Pelosi by name.
“Let’s also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from using insider information,” Trump said during his address to a joint session of Congress. “Pass the Stop Insider Trading Act without delay.”
Members from both parties rose to their feet in applause, including far-Left Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-M.A., one of Trump’s fiercest critics in the Senate. The unusual show of unity prompted Trump to respond.
“They stood up for that. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it,” Trump said. “Did Nancy Pelosi stand up — if she’s here? Doubt it.”
Pelosi was reportedly applauding until Trump called her out. The former House speaker, who sat next to Rep. Ro Khanna during the address, glared at Trump after his broadside.
The Pelosi family’s stunning wealth has frequently been cited by critics calling for stricter limits on congressional insider trading. Republicans have long pointed to well-timed trades her husband has made over the years. Pelosi has seen her net worth skyrocket to more than $269 million, according to Quiver Quantitative, making her one of the wealthiest lawmakers in Congress.
The Stop Insider Trading Act, introduced by Rep. Bryan Steil, would ban members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from purchasing publicly traded stocks. The bill also mandates that lawmakers, their spouses, and dependent children give a seven-day public notice before selling off a stock, aiming to go beyond the 2012 STOCK Act’s weak reporting requirements.
The bill has cleared a House committee but is awaiting a full vote in the lower chamber.
While Trump’s call drew initial bipartisan support, some Democrats quickly pushed back on the president himself.
Rep. Mark Takano, D-C.A., shouted “You do it yourself!” and “What about you?” Many Democratic lawmakers have insisted that the insider trading bans for lawmakers also include members of the executive branch.
Trump’s dig at Pelosi was revenge of sorts in their longstanding feud. During his State of the Union address in 2020, then-Speaker Pelosi tore up Trump’s speech in full view of the cameras.
Take a look at the political slap in the face that went viral —
Trump whacking Nancy Pelosi for insider trading has been my favorite moment so far 😂😂😂 #SOTU2026 pic.twitter.com/eTnErEv9ue
— NICK SHIRLEY STAN ACCOUNT (@laughomet) February 25, 2026