President Trump, during Tuesday night's State of the Union speech, urged Congress to pass the Stop Insider Trading Act — a call to bar lawmakers from profiting off non-public information — and watched in mock surprise as Democrats, including progressive Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), rose to their feet in applause.
"Let’s also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from using insider information," the President said, pausing to bask in a rare moment of bipartisan praise.
And, without missing a beat, he promptly torched Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who is sometimes heralded as the "stock queen" on Capitol hill.
"They stood up for that. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it," Trump quipped. "Did Nancy Pelosi stand up — if she’s here? Doubt it."
His comment drew some hearty laughter from the GOP side of the aisle, including from the two gentlemen seated behind him during the SOTU. Vice President JD Vance noticeably laughed aloud while House Speaker Mike Johnson could be seen biting his lip and stifling his own response.
LOL Trump is the funniest President of all time, zero debate.
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) February 25, 2026
After Democrats stood up for passing the Stop Insider Trading Act: "I can't believe. I can't believe it. Did Nancy Pelosi stand up, if she's here? Doubt it. Pass the Stop Insider Trading Act without delay. I wasn't… pic.twitter.com/flC8AhABpX
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Nancy Pelosi Discusses Retirement, What She Thinks Her Legacy Will Be, and I Have Thoughts
Members of Congress may currently purchase and trade stocks and cryptocurrency, provided they report all transactions. The base salary for Senators and Representatives is $174,000 per year. Some exceptions include the Speaker of the House ($223,500), the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the majority and minority leaders in the House and Senate ($193,400).
Yet some members of Congress have net worths that put them in elite standing—well over $100-$200 million.
Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, have a combined net worth of nearly $280 million. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has previously, as a Democrat at the time, called out the Pelosis trading acumen as evidence that the system is "rigged."
“We have people in positions of power to pass legislation, to enact new policies,” she has said. “They can see, ‘OK, here are the industries or companies that will benefit from this. I’m going to go and make these investments, buy this stock or that stock, or have my husband or wife do it and then make money in the process.'”
Pelosi, who has defended members of Congress who profit from insider trading because it is "a free-market economy" and "they should be able to participate in that," said she stood up and applauded Trump's call to pass the "Stop Insider Trading Act" as well.
She seemed clearly flustered when CNN confronted her with the fact that Warren was seen cheering his comments.
YIKES: Nancy Pelosi CAUGHT OFF GUARD as CNN points out that Elizabeth Warren stood and applauded as President Trump ridiculed her with regard to BANNING Members of Congress from trading stocks.
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 25, 2026
She starts mumbling incoherently as she CLEARLY doesn't have a response ready. pic.twitter.com/kZqjfpeoNA
"I say back to him, cause that's what member said, look at your own self ... the inference he wants to draw is there was something wrong with that, which there wasn't. And if there was, people get prosecuted for it," Pelosi fired back.
Word salad. Party of one.
Pelosi momentarily adjusted her teeth when CNN's Kasie Hunt pointed out Warren's response before gathering herself.
"Well, we all did (stand up)," Pelosi replied. "I did too."
Well, until he singled her out, that is.
The former Speaker said she thinks the insider act legislation will pass before reverting back to, "What I'm concerned about, our democracy, which he (Trump) is destroying ..."
The Stop Insider Trading Act (H.R. 7008) was introduced in January by Republican Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-1) and has significant backing by House Republicans. It is currently awaiting a full House vote.
While she may be the super-stretched-thin face of congressional insider trading, Pelosi is far from the only member to have seen her wealth skyrocket on a comparatively small salary for her job.
Trump's emphasis on the bill during his address could provide momentum for quicker action, but as of the latest reports, the Stop Insider Trading Act remains pending without a confirmed vote date. Its odds of passing will almost assuredly plummet if Democrats regain control of the House following the midterms.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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