Democrat Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has drawn sharp attention online after a speech at a memorial for Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir, with many questioning her sobriety.
On Saturday, 85-year-old Pelosi spoke for nearly 10 minutes at San Francisco’s Civic Center to honor Weir.
Weir passed away on January 10 after battling cancer and succumbing to lung issues.
Videos captured Pelosi stumbling over lines during the tribute while wearing a violet pantsuit.
She also took the opportunity to urge the audience to support Democrats, displaying a Grateful Dead sign reading “VOTE.”
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Critics have pointed to Pelosi’s delivery and demeanor, with clips circulating widely among conservative social media users who amplified their disapproval.
The incident has reignited past scrutiny of her public appearances, including a July event with Gen Z activists in Washington, where her speech was described as rambling.
This latest episode adds to the ongoing debate about her fitness for public engagements as she prepares to retire from Congress at the end of her current term.
Social media platforms buzzed with harsh commentary following the memorial, according to the Daily Mail.
Many users openly speculated about Pelosi’s state during the tribute.
One user quipped, “Is Nancy Pelosi drunk at the Bob Weir Homegoing?”
That jab, while pointed, reflects a broader sentiment among some who see her behavior as unbecoming for such a solemn occasion.
Pelosi’s history of sobriety claims, as noted by her office in a 2010 PolitiFact statement asserting she doesn’t drink, did little to quell the criticism.
The footage of her swaying and singing along to John Mayer’s performance of “Ripple” only fueled the narrative of inappropriateness.
Yet, the optics are tough to ignore when a self-proclaimed “Deadhead” like Pelosi uses a memorial to push a political message.
Her holding up the “VOTE” sign struck many as tone-deaf at a moment meant to honor Weir’s legacy.
Memorials aren’t campaign stops, and the blending of personal passion with political agenda rubbed many the wrong way.
Bob Weir, described by Pelosi as a “force of nature,” deserved a tribute focused on his contributions, not political sidebars.
Pelosi herself noted, “Bobby Weir was not just a magician, musician – a magician too – he was a force of nature.”
Her words should have celebrated Weir, but the slurred delivery and context shifted the spotlight elsewhere.
Weir’s passing, surrounded by family and friends, marked the end of a storied career with the Grateful Dead, a band that shaped cultural movements.
Pelosi’s intent to tie his love for “democracy” to a voting message felt misplaced to many observers.
The focus should have stayed on his music and impact.
Instead, the narrative veered to Pelosi’s personal conduct, compounded by her recent health challenges, including a fall last December in Europe that required hip replacement surgery.
While health issues can affect anyone, especially at 85, they don’t fully explain the perception of disarray during her speech.
Public expectations for clarity and poise remain high for figures of her stature.
If alcohol was not responsible for Pelosi’s behavior, then it’s fair to question whether the powerful Democrat is fit for office.
READ MORE – Pelosi’s Net Worth Surged 2,297% Since First Taking Office 38 Years Ago
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