Nancy Pelosi clapped back at a reporter who accused her of hating Donald Trump, and it's instantly iconic.
The speaker had finished answering questions about impeachment proceedings against the president when Sinclair Broadcast Group's James Rosen called out to her.
Do you hate the president, Madame Speaker?
His question echoes Republican representative Doug Collins's remark that the Democrats want to impeach Trump because "they don't like him".
Pelosi shut Rosen down, pointing her finger at him and saying "I don't hate anybody. Do not accuse me."
She then walked back to her podium and said:
I think the president is a coward when it comes to helping kids who are afraid of gun violence.
I think he's in denial about the climate crisis. However, that's about the election. This is about the Constitution of the United States.
She also slammed Rosen's use of the word 'hate'.
As a Catholic, I resent you using the word 'hate' in a sentence that addresses me.
I don't hate anyone, I was raised with a heart full of love.
Pelosi ends her remarks by saying:
So don't mess with me when it comes to words like that.
Mic drop.
Obviously, that moment became instantly iconic.
I aspire to live life at ‘don’t mess with me’ Nancy Pelosi level 24/7. 💪🏻❤️💯 https://t.co/NRBadFHeml— Melissa Blake (@Melissa Blake) 1575584363
People were stunned by her fierce takedown.
WOW!!!! "Don't mess with me....." @SpeakerPelosi I'm howling all the way over here in England!— Jonathan Capehart (@Jonathan Capehart) 1575562210
Me, listening to actual footage of Nancy Pelosi saying “don’t mess with me.” #asacatholic https://t.co/FyhtdBEWql— iam_lisarae (@iam_lisarae) 1575570308
So don't mess with Nancy Pelosi. You've been warned.
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