White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sharply criticized former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over her widely scrutinized stock trades, arguing that the controversy surrounding congressional trading has intensified calls for a legislative ban.
During a press briefing, Leavitt cited a series of trades made by Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, claiming their investment performance surpassed that of prominent investors and major hedge funds. She noted that President Donald Trump recently spoke with Senator Josh Hawley about the issue after Hawley contacted him directly. Leavitt said the president supports the broader concept of preventing lawmakers from using their positions for personal financial gain. “As the president said in the Roosevelt Room yesterday, conceptually he supports ensuring that members of Congress and U.S. senators who are here for public service cannot enrich themselves through their positions,” she stated. The press secretary argued that Pelosi’s investment success has fueled public skepticism about stock trading by elected officials. According to Leavitt, Pelosi earns approximately $174,000 annually as a member of Congress while maintaining an estimated net worth exceeding $400 million.
Leavitt also highlighted reports that Pelosi’s stock portfolio increased by roughly 70 percent in 2024, claiming its performance outpaced major hedge funds and exceeded the returns of Warren Buffett’s firm, Berkshire Hathaway. She concluded that the administration supports ongoing discussions with lawmakers on Capitol Hill regarding potential legislation addressing congressional stock trading.
