Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiDemocrats tear into Trump's speech: It was a 'MAGA rally' READ: Speaker Pelosi's response to Trump's State of the Union address Pelosi hammers Trump's speech: 'A manifesto of mistruths' MORE (D-Calif.) on Tuesday ripped up her copy of President Trump Donald John TrumpDemocrats tear into Trump's speech: It was a 'MAGA rally' READ: Speaker Pelosi's response to Trump's State of the Union address Pelosi hammers Trump's speech: 'A manifesto of mistruths' MORE's prepared remarks at the conclusion of his State of the Union address.
As Trump finished speaking and most lawmakers stood to applaud, Pelosi stood, took the printed copy of Trump's speech and tore it in half.
She placed the shredded copy in a stack on the dais as Trump made his way to greet members of Congress.
Asked afterward why she tore the speech up, Pelosi told reporters it was "the courteous thing to do given the alternative.".
The moment capped a tense address from Trump that started when the president appeared to snub Pelosi's offer of a handshake.
Pelosi largely seemed to avoid looking at Trump throughout the address, instead reading from his prepared remarks and scanning the room.
Pelosi also made waves at Trump's State of the Union last year, when her pointed applause at Trump calling for an end to "revenge politics" went viral. »
