Trump snubbed Pelosi by not inviting her to signing of the historic, $2 trillion coronavirus bill she helped negotiate

John Haltiwanger

March 27, 2020 11:07 PM

President Donald Trump did not invite House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, or any Democrats, to the signing of the historic $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill.

Donald Trump coronavirus bill

The bill, which Pelosi played a key role in negotiating, is the largest economic stimulus in US history.
Though no Democrats were in the room when Trump signed the legislation, he thanked "Republicans and Democrats for coming together" to see it passed.
Trump and Pelosi have had a tense relationship throughout his presidency, but especially since he was impeached in December. They reportedly haven't spoken since October, despite multiple crises.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi helped negotiate the $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill, but President Donald Trump did not invite her to the signing ceremony at the White House for the historic legislation.

There were no Democrats in the room when Trump signed the bill on Friday only Republicans were invited even as the president touted the bipartisan efforts that led to the moment.

"I want to thank Republicans and Democrats for coming together, setting aside their differences and putting America first," Trump said.

The fact neither the House Speaker nor Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was also instrumental in the talks behind the bill, were invited to the signing amid a crisis of this magnitude is emblematic of the ongoing tension between Trump and the Democratic leaders.

Trump and Pelosi have had a tense relationship throughout his presidency, but especially since he was impeached in December.

At Trump's State of the Union address last month, the president snubbed the House Speaker when she attempted to shake his hand at the start. Following his address, Pelosi ripped up the transcript of the president's speech. When asked by a reporter why she tore up the speech, Pelosi at the time said , "Because it was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives."

Pelosi and Trump have not spoken since October 16, aides told The Hill , marking a notably long absence in communication between the House Speaker and president as the US has faced multiple crises.

The $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill, which passed in the Senate on Wednesday and the House on Friday , is the largest stimulus package in US history.

The legislation is aimed at giving the US economy a major boost amid the fallout linked to the pandemic, which has crippled major cities and left millions filing for unemployment.

The bill includes direct payments of $1200 to millions of Americans and significantly expands unemployment benefits, while also providing emergency loans for businesses and billions of dollars in aid for US hospitals.

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