Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says she tries to avoid saying former President Trump’s name out loud.
In a recent podcast interview, the California representative said naming Trump is “like swearing” and joked that she hopes she doesn’t “burn in hell” for the profanity.
Pelosi, in the interview with The Guardian’s Jonathan Freedland and others, referred to Trump as “what’s-his-name.”
“I hardly ever say his name,” she said. “I think it’s a grotesque word.”
Freedland asked to confirm that Pelosi was “talking about Donald Trump,” and she confirmed she was.
“I grew up Catholic, as I am now. If you said a bad word, you could burn in hell if you didn’t have a chance to confess, so I don’t want to take any chances,” she said.
Later in the interview, she broke her own rule and uttered the GOP presidential nominee’s name.
“When we talk about democracy being on the ballot, it’s a woman’s issue, but it’s an everybody issue. When we talk about freedom of speech, do you see now that Trump is talking …,” Pelosi trailed off.
“I said his name, oh my gosh,” she added. “I hope I don’t burn in hell.”
The Speaker emerita, who has long been one of Trump’s most vocal critics, was part of the behind-the-scenes effort to get President Biden off the Democratic ticket following his disastrous debate performance against the former president in June. She has gone all-in for Vice President Harris, appearing at multiple campaign events with her in California.