(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., rarely rebukes her fellow Democrats unless the issue involves Israel.
Speaking on the On Brand podcast with host Donny Deutsch, Pelosi criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed over their positions on Israel, suggesting they do not represent Democrats in Congress.
Pelosi’s conversation with Deutsch revolved around what Deutsch characterized as the antisemitic position that Israel does not have the right to exist as a Jewish state. He accused Mamdani and El-Sayed of expressing those views in the past.
“When you say Israel doesn’t have the right to be a Jewish state, that’s antisemitic as far as I’m concerned with all that,” Deutsch said, before pointing to the mayor and Democratic candidate.
In response, Pelosi said that this was “more than concerning.” She added, “It’s wrong. It’s wrong. And it isn’t a reflection of the Democrats in the Congress of the United States.”
Pelosi then appeared to distance herself from the two Democrats, referring to El-Sayed as “this new person in Michigan.”
“We’ll see if he gets elected to Congress,” she said of El-Sayed. Turning to Mamdani, she continued, “The mayor, bless his heart, I hope he succeeds as mayor, but I don’t agree with some of the things.”
After the interview aired, Pelosi appeared to soften her remarks, with her spokesperson Nicholas Martin telling the New York Post that Pelosi “urged everyone in Michigan and across America to support Abdul El-Sayed.”
He added, “While they may disagree with him on some issues, she is united with him in the fight to lower costs, protect healthcare and defend our democracy.”
Pelosi’s remarks come as her time in public office approaches its end. First elected to Congress in 1987, Pelosi announced she would not seek reelection this November.
Her final day in Congress is set to be Jan. 3, 2027.
🚨 Pelosi rips Abdul El-Sayed, says his views on Israel are "more than concerning":
“This new person in Michigan, we’ll see if he gets elected.” pic.twitter.com/zRtjdLvfPx
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 30, 2026
