‘I Was Shocked’: Nancy Pelosi Reveals She Had ‘Never Seen’ Biden Like He Looked Entering the Debate Stage

(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said she was “shocked” after watching President Joe Biden’s May debate with Donald Trump and recommended the president not do the event at all.

Pelosi spoke with reporters to promote her new book The Art of Power and detailed more of her role in Biden stepping back from his reelection campaign and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris . Shortly after the CNN debate between Biden and Trump, Pelosi appeared on Morning Joe where she said it was up to the president to decide “if he is going to run again.” Pelosi later clarified she was not calling for him to drop from the race.

“I just thought it’d be like doggy-doo and you’re going to get it on your shoe and you’re all going to smell like him,” Pelosi recalled of her advice to the president, according to the Associated Press .

She said Biden assured her that he was prepared to “handle” Trump on the debate stage as she questioned the decision. She had immediate concerns with Biden’s appearance and his walking onto the stage.

“I was shocked,” Pelosi said, adding she’d “never seen” him like that.

She said she recommended Biden “respond whatever way” he wanted and “own” the stage with Trump. She recommended simple things like rest and not repeating himself, but she quickly lost confidence watching.

“He’s the president of the United States, a person who for decades has understood a vision of our country based on values, knowledge, issues, therefore judgment about all of it, with more empathy in his heart than anyone,” she said. “Who needs to prep him?”

Pelosi declared her goal is to make sure Trump never returns to the White House and she knew Democrats needed a more “aggressive” campaign than the one Biden was running, one focusing on future plans rather than past accomplishments.

“Elections are about the future,” she said. “Finish the job.”