NANCY Pelosi branded Donald Trump's State of the Union address "dirty" and a "manifesto of mistruths" – after she very publicly ripped it to shreds.

The Speaker of the House was seen tearing up a copy of the key speech behind Trump's back during the showcase political event in Washington.

When asked by an ABC News reporter why she did what she did, Pelosi replied, “It was such a dirty speech.”

She then insisted: “It was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives. I tore it up. I was trying to find one page with truth on it. I couldn't."

Pelosi later tweeted: "The manifesto of mistruths presented in page after page of the address tonight should be a call to action for everyone who expects truth from the President and policies worthy of his office and the American people."

Then  – posting a photo of Trump apparently snubbing her handshake  – she wrote: "Democrats will never stop extending the hand of friendship to get the job done #ForThe People.

"We will work to find common ground where we can, but will stand our ground where we cannot."

Pelosi added: "The American people expect and deserve a President to have integrity and respect for the aspirations for their children."

However, her brazen speech stunt did not go down well with many of those in the audience and she was labelled "petty" by leading Republicans.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) tweeted: "How petty of Pelosi.

"Ripping up a piece of paper doesn't change the facts that were written on it – Americans are winning, in spite of the do-nothing Democrats."

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) then called for the Democrat to say sorry.

He told The Hill: "That was disgraceful, it's something that she should not have done.

"She should apologize for that – I mean the whole country's watching and you've got to be better than that."

"You don't have to agree with a State of the Union – there have been a lot of things I didn't agree with in States of the Union when Barack Obama was president, but you respect the institution."

House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz  Cheney (R-Wyo.) blasted Pelosi "had a tantrum, disgraced herself, and dishonored the House."

Her actions also prompted a quick response from Trump's administration.

The White House tweeted: "Speaker Pelosi just ripped up: One of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. The survival of a child born at 21 weeks.

"The mourning families of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller. A service member's reunion with his family. That's her legacy."

The tweet was referencing several guests at the address, including family members of a man killed by an undocumented immigrant and an aid worker killed by ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Source: Read Full Article