Jill Biden has opened up about the end of her long friendship with Nancy Pelosi, attributing it to the former Speaker’s role in encouraging her husband, President Joe Biden, to exit the 2024 race. In a revealing exit interview, Jill explained how Pelosi’s actions deeply hurt her and led to the breakdown of their relationship.
“We were friends for 50 years,” Jill Biden shared, reflecting on the history of their relationship. “It was disappointing,” she added, expressing the personal impact of Pelosi’s influence during the election. Mary Doody, a close friend of the Biden family, emphasized the emotional toll, describing Pelosi’s actions as “awful” and “disrespectful.”
The rift began after Joe Biden’s disappointing debate performance in June 2024, which led some Democratic leaders to question his ability to secure a second term. Pelosi, though publicly supportive, was reportedly behind efforts to push Biden out of the race. Jill, already upset by the media’s criticism, saw this as a direct challenge to her husband’s authority.
🚨Jill Biden TEARS into Nancy Pelosi, accusing her of leading the coup to push Joe Biden out of the 2024 presidential race.
“We were friends for 50 years.. It was disappointing.” pic.twitter.com/JzNjJk8OWj
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 15, 2025
Jill Biden’s response to the situation was swift. After Joe Biden’s July decision to withdraw from the race, Jill immediately endorsed Kamala Harris, making it clear that there would be no room for an open primary. Her endorsement of Harris was seen as a strategic move to ensure her family’s control over the Democratic nomination.
NEW: Jill Biden TEARS into Nancy Pelosi, accusing her of leading the coup to push her husband out of the 2024 presidential race. pic.twitter.com/EhIZzQxRA4
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) January 15, 2025
Jill Biden, known for her determination to maintain power and influence, felt that Pelosi’s actions threatened her family’s position within the party. The endorsement of Harris was not only a political maneuver but also a personal one, as Jill sought to prevent Pelosi from gaining any further influence over the race.
Jill also made a subtle reference to Michelle Obama’s absence from significant events like Donald Trump’s inauguration. “Joe and I respect our institutions, our traditions,” Jill Biden remarked, contrasting her own commitment to political traditions with Obama’s decision to skip key moments in American history.
