Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, recently engaged in a significant stock transaction amounting to $38 million in the weeks preceding President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Reports indicate that Paul, a venture capitalist, divested $24 million in Apple stock and an additional $5 million in Nvidia shares.
Moreover, Paul Pelosi acquired shares in a relatively obscure Chicago-based healthcare firm, Tempus AI, which employs artificial intelligence to analyze clinical and molecular data. This transaction included the purchase of $100,000 in call options for the company on January 14, just days prior to Trump’s inauguration.
The Pelosis’ investment portfolio has experienced a remarkable appreciation of 70% over the past year, significantly surpassing the performance of the broader market and the average investor. Nancy Pelosi’s net worth, which is reportedly heavily influenced by Paul’s investments, is estimated to be around $240 million. Over time, concerns have been raised regarding the ethical implications of Pelosi and other congressional leaders concerning their financial dealings.
However, a representative for the former House Speaker asserted that she was not involved in these transactions. “Speaker Pelosi does not own any stocks, and she has no prior knowledge or subsequent involvement in any transactions,” the spokesperson remarked. Nonetheless, the timing of the Pelosis’ investments has attracted scrutiny, with some alleging that the former Speaker may be leveraging her insider knowledge and influence for personal gain.
Last year, The American Tribune reported on a legislative proposal from MAGA Republicans aimed at prohibiting stock trading among members of Congress. This bill, introduced by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) and supported by Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), underscores the belief that congressional representatives should prioritize serving the nation rather than pursuing personal financial interests. “The truth is, Congress should not be here to make a buck. Congress should be here to serve the American people. There is no reason why members of Congress ought to be profiting off of the system.”
Hawley asserted that even in the absence of blatant corruption, there are more pressing matters to address. He stated, “Regardless of whether one possesses insider information or data not accessible to the public, it is inappropriate for members of Congress to engage in day trading instead of concentrating on the priorities that the American populace has entrusted us to pursue.”
He further emphasized, “The only individuals who require an explanation are those within this building. The only ones who appear to lack understanding regarding the necessity of banning stock trading are here in the capital. Every American comprehends this issue, and they are justified in their understanding. The personal financial gain of Congress members should not take precedence; it should be the last consideration. I am proud to assert that this bill represents a significant advancement toward achieving that objective.”
Following Hawley, Ossoff remarked, “This represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to reform the ethical standards governing Congress. Across the state of Georgia, there is a broad consensus among Democrats, independents, and Republicans that members of Congress should refrain from engaging in stock trading while legislating and having access to confidential and privileged information.”
