Anita Dunn, a former senior communications adviser to President Joe Biden, has openly criticized Nancy Pelosi, the House Speaker emerita, for her role in undermining Biden’s re-election campaign. Dunn, who has since aligned with Vice President Kamala Harris’s super PAC, stated that Pelosi’s public doubts about Biden’s viability significantly contributed to the president’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 race.
Dunn highlighted how Pelosi’s televised comments following Biden’s debate performance on June 27 encouraged other Democratic leaders to voice similar concerns, leading to a snowball effect that ultimately derailed the campaign. She argued that Pelosi’s actions, coupled with the influence of Democratic donors, ignored the will of primary voters who had supported Biden.
The pressure on Biden increased after George Clooney, a prominent Democratic donor, published an op-ed urging Biden to end his campaign. Dunn revealed that even though Biden initially resisted stepping down, he eventually conceded on July 21, citing the need to prioritize the party’s and the country’s best interests. Dunn described this decision as unprecedented, noting that many undecided voters still believed in Biden’s chances.
In addition to her criticism of Pelosi’s role in Biden’s withdrawal, Dunn also questioned Pelosi’s leadership during the 2022 midterms. She suggested that more effective leadership could have prevented the Republicans from taking control of the House. Despite Pelosi’s recent praise for Biden, the two have not communicated since his decision to end his campaign, underscoring the tension between them.
