Trump Presses Stock-Trading Ban, Takes Aim at Nancy Pelosi in SOTU Remarks
President Trump used his State of the Union address to press Congress to "pass the Stop Insider Trading Act without delay" and to take a public shot at nancy pelosi, tying a high-profile legislative pitch to criticism of congressional stock trading.
Trump singled out Nancy Pelosi in SOTU jab
At his address, Trump called out insider trading on Capitol Hill and urged lawmakers to act. "Let’s also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from using insider information, " he said, prompting members of both parties to stand. Trump followed the applause by asking rhetorically about Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi: "They stood up for that. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Did Nancy Pelosi stand up — if she’s here? Doubt it. "
Stop Insider Trading Act would ban purchases by members and family
The Stop Insider Trading Act, introduced by Rep. Bryan Steil, would ban members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from purchasing publicly traded stocks and require advance public notice before any sale. The measure is described as aiming to go beyond the 2012 STOCK Act’s reporting requirements.
Pelosi family disclosures have been cited by critics
Pelosi’s status as Speaker Emerita and the Pelosi family's financial disclosures have frequently been cited by critics calling for stricter limits on congressional stock trading. The moment in the chamber drew attention on social media and prompted several high-profile posts reacting to Trump’s line about Nancy Pelosi.
Social media seized on the moment
The remark prompted immediate online reaction: Guy Benson posted on X, "lol the Pelosi ad lib. " Columnist Josh Hammer posted, "LMAO at Trump’s callout of Pelosi on insider trading, " while Newsbusters Managing Editor Curtis Houck posted, "LOL Trump is the funniest President of all time, zero debate. "
Photographs in the context of the exchange included an image of U. S. House Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaking during a news conference in response to the sentencing ruling in the Hong Kong 47 case on Nov. 19, 2024, in front of the U. S. Capitol in Washington, D. C.
Retirement savings pitch accompanied the call for legislation
Alongside his call for a ban on congressional trading, President Trump announced a retirement savings proposal targeted at workers without access to employer matching: the federal government would match contributions up to $1, 000 a year so more Americans can benefit from market gains.
Digital reached out to Pelosi's office for comment. Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at; Morgan Phillips contributed to the reporting.
The Stop Insider Trading Act remains a legislative proposal introduced by Rep. Bryan Steil; Digital sought comment from Pelosi’s office following the State of the Union remarks.
