Tuesday was a "sad night for our country" because President Donald Trump wouldn't disassociate himself from white supremacists and terrorists during the first presidential debate with Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday.
"I lost a lot of sleep last night over that one fact, but I did know he has never respected the dignity of his office and he demonstrated that last night," the California Democrat said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "I think one thing he did present was the authenticity of who he is, with disregard for bringing our country together, with any knowledge of the challenge we face with the coronavirus, by catering to his base by saying what he said about the Proud Boys and white supremacists."
Pelosi has maintained since August that Biden shouldn't debate Trump. After Tuesday's heated exchanges, she said she does not believe that anyone "should reduce themselves to being on the stage" with Trump because of his behavior.
"I'm just sorry they didn't turn off (his) microphone when it was Joe Biden's turn to speak and turn it on when it was the president's turn to speak, and we would not have had the disruption," said Pelosi. "He's been enabled his whole life and now the American people are paying a price for the fact that no one has ever said to him no."
The speaker added that she began Tuesday with Interfaith, which was having a day of prayer of unity for the country, but with Trump, "we're either not praying hard enough, or they're just not working, but some kind of intervention is necessary."
Pelosi also said she prays for Trump every day and she also prays that Republicans will take back their party.
"The country needs a strong Republican Party," said Pelosi. "It's done so much for our country. And to have it be hijacked with a cult at this time is really a sad thing for America, as it gives credence to white supremacists."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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