Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi, the "arch-rivals" in American politics, seem to have found a new battlefield: the stock market.
Recently, Trump once again launched an attack, accusing Pelosi's husband of "making a fortune through insider information," bluntly stating, "Nancy Pelosi made money through insider information, and she and her husband made a lot of money. I think it's too shameful." In his view, Pelosi has become "the most successful investor in American history," and behind all this must be some underhanded dealings.
Those familiar with Trump's style know that this is far from a casual complaint. For Trump, attacking Pelosi has almost become a political instinct—both have had multiple face-to-face confrontations in Congress, the media, and public speeches, becoming one of the most prominent "opposing couples" in American politics over the past decade.
One is a real estate tycoon turned president, the other is a "tough woman" on Capitol Hill
Pelosi is not an ordinary politician. She is the first female Speaker of the House in American history and one of the few politicians who have remained active in the political arena for decades, influencing generations of legislators. Trump, on the other hand, is not an ordinary president. He is a media darling and a business magnate, known for his direct and even rude speech, never hesitating to use Twitter or speeches to provoke new disputes.
The most famous moment of their mutual attacks was after Trump's State of the Union address in 2019, when Pelosi publicly tore up the speech. That sound of tearing paper became an eternal moment in American television history, and it completely escalated the tension between the two to its peak.
Pelosi tears up Trump's speech
Since then, whenever there was an opportunity, both would not miss a chance to "strike a blow" at each other, whether it was impeachment cases, election disputes, or various political issues. This time, Trump chose to target the controversial wealth of Pelosi's husband.
The World's Luckiest "Investment Genius"?
According to data from Quiver Quantitative, which tracks politicians' financial information, Pelosi's net worth is approximately $261 million. Although Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly stated publicly that she does not participate in stock trading, her husband Paul Pelosi is a professional venture capitalist who often makes precise stock purchases at critical moments, achieving astonishing returns that even many top Wall Street fund managers find hard to match.
My husband is a stock god series
For example, before the semiconductor bill vote, Paul Pelosi made a large purchase of shares in chip giant NVIDIA; also, in the early stages of the 2020 pandemic, he successfully sold part of his heavy stocks, avoiding the subsequent crash. These "miraculous operations" almost always hit the rhythm of Congressional policy implementation, leaving ordinary investors in awe and making skeptics smell the scent of insider trading.
Trump mocked, "Nancy Pelosi should be investigated because she is almost the highest returner in Wall Street's history, except for a few people. How did this happen?"
Pelosi's stock investment returns crush Wall Street's top bosses
And Trump's suspicion is not unfounded—according to data from the non-profit organization OpenSecrets, the average annual return rate of Pelosi's couple's investment portfolio reached a staggering nearly 60% from 2019 to 2021. To put this into perspective, even Warren Buffett's annual return rate during the same period was only around 20%. It's no wonder that Trump joked, "Even Wall Street needs to learn stock trading from her."
A War That Spills From the Stock Market to Congress
Not just mockery, Trump and his allies have also tried to pass legislation to restrict such situations. Senator Josh Hawley proposed the famous "Stop Congressional Stock Trading Act" (referred to as the "Hawley Act"), aiming to prohibit government officials, including members of Congress and their spouses, from trading stocks.
The Hawley Act came a bit late
But ironically, the bill will take effect in the next presidential term, and Trump and his vice-presidential candidate JD Vance are thus exempted, temporarily not required to comply. Trump doesn't seem to feel any inconsistency about this and continues to shout on social media and rallies, "Pelosi should be investigated!"
At the same time, Pelosi publicly expressed support, stating in a statement, "The American people should believe that the leaders they elected serve the public interest, not their personal investment portfolios." However, she had previously openly opposed a complete ban on members of Congress trading stocks, saying a widely circulated quote: "We are a free market economy. They should be able to participate in it."
This statement has been seized upon by critics. Some have mocked, saying it's like the house wanting to bet as well: "Legislators are really the house, not only betting but also controlling the outcome."
Trump's Calculations, Pelosi's Determination
For Trump, this attack is not just personal grudges, but also a political opportunity. He knows that "politicians using insider information for stock trading" is one of the things American voters hate the most. By seizing this issue, Trump aims to portray himself as the one who speaks the truth for the people, while continuing to undermine Pelosi's reputation within the Democratic Party.
Both hate each other deeply
On the other hand, Pelosi understands Trump's tactics well, and for years, she has never shown signs of panic or retreat in public. Tearing up the State of the Union, mocking Trump's "border wall"—each step has shaped her into a symbol of opposition to Trump. The rivalry between her and Trump has almost become a microcosm of American political polarization.
Interestingly, although Trump strongly criticized Pelosi's husband, he himself faced doubts during his administration about the relationship between his family business and government projects. Political observers jokingly said: This war over "who is better at exploiting power for profit" can only be considered "laughing at the hundred steps from fifty steps."
Can a Single Bill Save the Voters' Trust?
Now, the Hawley Act has passed in the Senate, targeting not only members of Congress but also their spouses and children. Although Pelosi says she supports it, her support is more about "transparency" rather than a complete ban.
There are also differing opinions within the Republican Party: some support a complete ban, while others worry it may excessively limit the free market. More complex is the fact that if the bill truly includes the president and vice president, then Trump and JD Vance would also be banned from stock trading—which would definitely be bad news for the Trump camp.
The White House is concerned that if the president and vice president are included in the restrictions, it might touch on the constitutional protection of executive power in Article II. This is the key point of contention that has kept the Hawley Act from becoming law so far.
In this complex legal and public opinion tug-of-war, the feud between Pelosi and Trump has reignited: one is the most famous speaker in America, the other is the most controversial president. Their wealth and power intertwine, allowing voters to watch the show while doubting.
An American "Court Drama"
From 2016 to today, Trump and Pelosi have been in constant conflict: from immigration policies to impeachment, from election fraud to stock market insider information, every confrontation has become a headline in the media.
And now, this seemingly battle over "stock trading" still revolves around the old issues: power, money, and trust. Can voters really believe the politicians they elect? Is stock trading by lawmakers normal investment, or an abuse of power? These questions may be more important than the balance in Pelosi's account.
In this American "court drama," it's unclear who the winner will be, but the loser is likely the ordinary American citizens who have lost faith in politics.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7532960845970555438/
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