Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi stumbled through a press event in San Francisco on Wednesday, appearing confused and unaware her microphone wasn’t working as she launched into a muddled speech during the Democrats’ “Cost of Living Week of Action.”

Flanked by local business owners and party aides, Pelosi appeared dazed as she praised the venue, struggling to get her message across. Her voice, initially barely audible due to a mic issue, seemed to go unnoticed by the longtime Democrat until staffers moved to intervene.

As aides scrambled to fix the mic, Pelosi continued, slurring through lines about small businesses and economic issues while repeating herself multiple times. “This is a remarkable place. I hope you had a chance to see the force of it all,” Pelosi said.

“So this Cost of Living Week is part of a drumbeat, and it’s a celebration of the cost of living. And I think it’s a celebration of the cost of living,” she repeated, trailing off mid-thought. “The President promised in the campaign, but the exact opposite is happening now…”

WATCH:

The odd phrasing and visible disorientation quickly lit up social media, where critics accused Pelosi of being unfit to continue representing her district. Some commentators referred to it as another example of what they call the “Joe Biden curse” spreading through Democratic leadership.

The former Speaker, now 85, has faced growing scrutiny over her continued presence in Congress as concerns over age and cognitive sharpness dominate conversations around top Democratic leadership, including former President Joe Biden and Senator Dianne Feinstein before her death.

REACTIONS:



Comment on this Article Via Your Disqus Account