Nancy Pelosi’s legacy after nearly four decades in Congress

Summary

Apple News Today – Detailed Summary

Episode: Nancy Pelosi’s legacy after nearly four decades in Congress
Host: Shemitah Basu
Date: November 7, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on Nancy Pelosi’s momentous decision to retire after nearly forty years in Congress, examining her historic legacy, legislative achievements, and enduring influence. The episode also covers pressing news including U.S. military action in the Caribbean, a Disney-YouTube TV standoff causing a sports blackout, updates on SNAP benefits, a record-setting Tesla shareholder vote, and an embarrassing security lapse at the Louvre.

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1. Nancy Pelosi’s Retirement and Legacy

Segment start: [00:35]

Pelosi—widely regarded as one of the most consequential political figures of the 21st century—announced she would not seek re-election in 2026, ending an era defined by decade-spanning legislative and personal achievements.

• Historic Announcement:
  Pelosi addresses San Francisco voters about her decision:

  “I will not be seeking re election to Congress. With a grateful heart. I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative… San Francisco, know your power.”
  – Nancy Pelosi [00:49]

• Trailblazing Career:

  • First woman Speaker of the House.
  • Led Democrats for 20 years, one of the longest tenures in the House.
  • Entered Congress in 1987 as one of only 23 women out of 435 Representatives.

• Breaking Barriers:
  Pelosi biographer Molly Ball notes the inhospitable environment and sexism Pelosi confronted:

  “There was no women’s bathroom on the House floor, women were not allowed to wear pants on the floor of the Senate. And she had to fight tooth and nail against a lot of sexism and attitudes that women didn’t belong in the halls of power to shatter what she called the marble ceiling.”
  – Molly Ball [01:34]

• Leadership During Crisis:
  During the 2007 financial crisis, her stature was cemented when then Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, “literally… got down on one knee and reportedly begged her to support his rescue package.”
  – Recap [02:09-02:14]

• Policy Achievements:

  • Led passage of the Affordable Care Act:

    “Her role has never been sufficiently appreciated. I do not think it would have gotten done had she not been able to force it through the House under very difficult circumstances.”
    – Molly Ball [02:22]

  • Oversaw major banking reform and, more recently, investments in renewable energy and industrial spending.

• Political Counterparts and Context:
  Ball compares Pelosi’s mastery of power to Mitch McConnell in the Senate [02:51].

• Pelosi vs. Trump:

  • Initially underestimated Trump’s rise:

    “You know what? He’s not going to be president… Take it to the bank.”
    – Nancy Pelosi (to Kara Swisher), [03:05]

  • Became the longest serving and most prominent opponent to Trump, famously confronting him during government shutdown negotiations:

    “Mr. President, please don’t characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting as the leader of the House Democrats who just won a big victory election.”
    – Nancy Pelosi [03:45]

  • Pelosi’s leadership credited for not caving during the shutdown, forcing Trump to concede [04:05].

• Personal and Partisan Attacks:

  • Targeted by GOP for her wealth and depicted as out-of-touch [04:09].
  • Subject to violence: her husband Paul attacked in 2022; January 6 rioters specifically sought her [04:24].
  • Led impeachment efforts stemming from January 6.

• Question of Party Age and Renewal:
  Ball speculates on Pelosi’s motivations:

  “…given the role she played helping force Biden off the ticket last year, having been in the California delegation alongside Dianne Feinstein when she was declining, you have to think that examples like that have weighed on her mind and she doesn’t want to join that group.”
  – Molly Ball [04:46]

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2. U.S. Military Campaign in the Caribbean

Segment start: [05:20]

• Congressional vote fails to restrict President Trump’s military operations in the Caribbean ([05:20–05:37]).

  • Only two Republicans, Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski, vote with Democrats seeking authorization.

• Trinidad and Tobago’s New Prime Minister Backs Trump’s Efforts:

  • Kamala Persad Biseser, described as a pragmatic “law and order populist,” aligns with Trump over hopes he’ll unlock Venezuelan gas ([06:05–06:16], Cajel Villas).
  • The nation’s economy heavily depends on oil and gas; gas reserves are running low ([07:05–07:13]).

• Risky Political Bets:
  Villas describes the Prime Minister as a “risk taker”:

  “She seems to be placing her bets here on the US actually achieving a regime change in Venezuela, which could potentially be a boon for Trinidad and Tobago.”
  – Cajel Villas [07:56]

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3. Disney vs. YouTube TV: Sports and TV Blackout

Segment start: [08:36]

• Negotiation Stalemate Leads to TV Blackout:

  • YouTube TV (owned by Google), with 10 million subscribers, loses all Disney-owned channels, affecting sports fans who missed Monday Night Football ([09:02–09:16]).

• Dispute Details:

  • Disagreement over compensation and integration of Disney’s streaming apps.
  • Disney accuses Google of underpaying; Google argues Disney demands too much ([09:27–09:43], Julia Boorstin).

• Sports Impact:
  ESPN star Pat McAfee voices frustration:

  "This ESPN, YouTube TV thing is like a real… hey, you guys need to figure this out type situation for sports fans because it felt like YouTube TV was actually crafted for sports fans."
  – Pat McAfee [10:08]

• Broader TV Trends:

  • YouTube now rivals and even surpasses traditional TV for many viewers ([10:21–10:34]).
  • ESPN's Monday Night Football ratings plummet to 16.1 million, unusually low, largely due to blackout ([10:48–10:56]).

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4. Additional Headlines and Notable Moments

Segment start: [11:12]

• SNAP Benefits Ruling and Ongoing Uncertainty ([11:15–11:49])

  • Federal judge rules Trump administration must fully fund SNAP (food stamps) for November.
  • The administration appeals, leaving recipients uncertain about their benefits.

• Tesla Shareholder Vote and Musk’s Pay ([12:01–12:16])

  • Shareholders greenlight a record $1 trillion package for Elon Musk.
  • Seen as a vote of confidence in Musk and Tesla’s foray into humanoid robotics.

• Louvre Security Blunder during Major Heist ([12:29–13:13])

  • Surveillance system password was simply “louvre.”
  • The gallery had only one exterior camera, which didn’t even cover the thieves' entry point.

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Notable Quotes

• Pelosi’s Farewell Message

  “San Francisco, know your power.” – Nancy Pelosi [00:49]

• On Breaking Gender Barriers

  “There was no women’s bathroom on the House floor… she had to fight tooth and nail against a lot of sexism… to shatter what she called the marble ceiling.” – Molly Ball [01:34]

• Direct Confrontation with Trump

  “Mr. President, please don’t characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting as the leader of the House Democrats who just won a big victory election.” – Nancy Pelosi [03:45]

• On Political Opportunism in Trinidad & Tobago

  “What many people suspect is that she seems to be placing her bets… on the US actually achieving a regime change in Venezuela…” – Cajel Villas [07:56]

• On the YouTube TV Blackout

  “This ESPN, YouTube TV thing is like a real…hey, you guys need to figure this out type situation for sports fans...” – Pat McAfee [10:08]

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Key Timestamps

• Pelosi’s retirement announcement & legacy: [00:35 – 05:20]
• Caribbean military campaign & Trinidad’s gamble: [05:20 – 08:36]
• Disney-YouTube TV blackout & sports fallout: [08:36 – 11:12]
• Rapid-fire headlines (SNAP, Tesla, Louvre): [11:12 – 13:13]

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Closing Notes

This episode offered a nuanced look at Pelosi’s historic role and influence, blending expert commentary with first-hand statements, and connected her departure to broader themes in American politics such as party renewal and the cost of leadership. Other segments illustrated how global geopolitics, technology, and the media landscape are all rapidly evolving, often with surprising—and sometimes comical—side effects.

Transcript

[Apple News Host]

Good morning.

[Shemitah Basu]

It's Friday, November 7th. I'm Shemitah Basu. This is Apple News Today.

[Apple News Host]

On today's show, why one Caribbean nation.

[Shemitah Basu]

Is backing Trump's military campaign in the region.

[Apple News Host]

A fight between media giants leads to a TV blackout and you'll never guess.

[Shemitah Basu]

Or maybe you will. The Louvre's surveillance system password.

[Apple News Host]

But first, to the news that one.

[Shemitah Basu]

Of the most consequential politicians of the 21st century has decided, after nearly four decades in Congress, to retire when her term ends in 2027. Yesterday, Nancy Pelosi spoke directly to her San Francisco voters.

[Nancy Pelosi]

I will not be seeking re election to Congress. With a grateful heart. I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative. As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this San Francisco, know your power.

[Apple News Host]

Pelosi, now 85 years old, departs with a massive list of legislative and personal achievements. She was the country's first woman speaker.

[Shemitah Basu]

Of the house, and her 20 years as the leader of the House Democrats was among the longest in history. When Pelosi first entered Congress in 1987, she was one of just 23 women in the 435 member House of Representatives.

[Apple News Host]

As her biographer Molly Ball told us.

[Shemitah Basu]

The odds were stacked against her.

[Molly Ball]

There was no women's bathroom on the House floor, women were not allowed to wear pants on the floor of the Senate. And she had to fight tooth and nail against a lot of sexism and attitudes that women didn't belong in the halls of power to shatter what she called the marble ceiling. When she became the first Woman Speaker In 2007, that period of her first.

[Shemitah Basu]

Speakership was defined by the financial crisis.

[Apple News Host]

In a moment that cemented Pelosi's status.

[Shemitah Basu]

As the most powerful woman in America.

[Apple News Host]

Then Treasury Secretary Hank Poulsen, a Republican.

[Shemitah Basu]

Worth hundreds of millions of dollars, literally.

[Apple News Host]

Got down on one knee and reportedly.

[Shemitah Basu]

Begged her to support his rescue package.

[Apple News Host]

After President Obama was elected, she pushed.

[Shemitah Basu]

Banking reform through Congress and was central to getting the Affordable Care act over the line.

[Molly Ball]

When she's asked about her legacy, she always points to her policy accomplishments, especially the Affordable Care Act. Her role has never been sufficiently appreciated. I do not think it would have gotten done had she not been able to force it through the House under very difficult circumstances.

[Apple News Host]

Her second speaker stint, beginning in 2019.

[Shemitah Basu]

Brought more legislative gains once Biden was.

[Apple News Host]

Elected, focused on renewable energy investment and.

[Shemitah Basu]

Large scale industrial spending commitments.

[Apple News Host]

Ball believes the only comparable figure in.

[Shemitah Basu]

Politics today is her counterpart in the Senate, Mitch McConnell.

[Apple News Host]

But Pelosi, one of Congress's most astute.

[Shemitah Basu]

Observers of power was caught off guard by President Trump's rise.

[Nancy Pelosi]

You know what? He's not going to be president. He is not. John Trump is not going to be president of the United States. Take it to the bank.

[Apple News Host]

That was Pelosi talking to podcast host.

[Shemitah Basu]

Kara swisher back in 2016.

[Apple News Host]

But.

[Shemitah Basu]

But Trump was elected president twice and Ball told us that a huge part of her image is now defined by being the longest serving opponent and foil to Trump's agenda.

[Apple News Host]

Ball notes the parallels of today to 2019.

[Shemitah Basu]

During the shutdown in Trump's first term.

[Molly Ball]

She went to the White House, met with Donald Trump. The meeting was all recorded and broadcast live and she interrupted him. She stuck her finger in his face. She called him a liar to his face.

[Nancy Pelosi]

Mr. President, please don't characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting as the leader of the House Democrats who just won a big victory election.

[Molly Ball]

And she told him that she believed that she had the leverage in this situation and the Democrats were not going to cave and he was going to own the shutdown.

[Shemitah Basu]

Trump was widely seen as having conceded in that standoff.

[Apple News Host]

Pelosi was a frequent target of Republican.

[Shemitah Basu]

Attack ads under Trump, characterized as the ultimate out of touch Washington insider who had accumulated enormous wealth in office.

[Apple News Host]

She was also the target of violence in 2022.

[Shemitah Basu]

Her husband Paul was attacked in their home by a man who was looking for her. And January 6th rioters were heard shouting where's Nancy? As they stormed the building. She later led the impeachment efforts originating from that day. Pelosi's departure comes amid growing questions about whether aging members of the party are willing to step down to make way for new voice.

[Molly Ball]

This is not something she's ever been willing to talk to me or anyone else about, but you have to think that given the role she played helping force Biden off the ticket last year, having been in the California delegation alongside Dianne Feinstein when she was declining, you have to think that examples like that have weighed on her mind and she doesn't want to join that group.

[Apple News Host]

Congress will not restrict President Trump's military.

[Shemitah Basu]

Campaign in the Caribbean for now after a vote that would have required congressional authorization failed yesterday.

[Apple News Host]

Several Republicans have expressed concerns about Trump's strikes against boats in the region. But in the end, only two, Rand.

[Shemitah Basu]

Paul and Lisa Murkowski, voted with the Democrats, though others reiterated they remained concerned.

[Apple News Host]

Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete hegseth.

[Shemitah Basu]

Announced that US forces carried out its 16th strike, this time in the eastern Pacific.

[Apple News Host]

While there are major questions about the.

[Shemitah Basu]

Legality of the strikes.

[Apple News Host]

President Trump appears to have found a.

[Shemitah Basu]

New ally in the region. Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister, Kamala Persad Biseser, who took office just months ago.

[Cajel Villas]

She's not somebody who has a particularly strong ideology. Her policies kind of shift by what many would call the right or left or conservative or liberal values, depending on issue.

[Apple News Host]

That's Cajel Villas, Latin America correspondent for.

[Shemitah Basu]

The Wall Street Journal.

[Cajel Villas]

In her current incarnation, she has very much sold herself as this kind of law and order populist whose number one priority is restoring security and cutting down on violent crime and trafficking of arms, drugs, human smuggling, all these issues that she says are kind of knock on effects of the breakdown in neighboring Venezuela.

[Apple News Host]

Trinidad and Tobago is a small twin.

[Shemitah Basu]

Island nation that's just eight miles east of Venezuela.

[Apple News Host]

Massive US Aircraft carriers have recently come.

[Shemitah Basu]

Within miles of its shores.

[Apple News Host]

Vias tells us the Prime Minister's embrace.

[Shemitah Basu]

Of Trump is in part pinned to her hope that he can help unlock Venezuelan gas reserves that her country needs.

[Apple News Host]

Trinidad and Tobago's oil and gas industry.

[Shemitah Basu]

Accounts for 40% of its entire economy and 80% of foreign currency intake population.

[Apple News Host]

But it only has about a decade.

[Shemitah Basu]

Of gas reserves remaining.

[Apple News Host]

That means their relationship with Venezuela is crucial.

[Cajel Villas]

The last couple governments in Trinidad have been really keen on trying to secure new gas supplies, which Venezuela is sitting on, but has done very little to exploit. You know, over the last several years, as the US has turned the screw on Venezuela and applied pressure to the authoritarian government there, doing business with Venezuela has become increasingly difficult for Trinidad and Tobago.

[Apple News Host]

Last week, in response to Trinidad's support.

[Shemitah Basu]

For US Military presence in the region, Venezuela revoked several energy deals with the country.

[Apple News Host]

Villas said the big question is, what.

[Shemitah Basu]

Is Prasad B. Cesar hoping to gain by standing with the U.S. what I've.

[Cajel Villas]

Heard from numerous people who had worked closely with the Prime Minister in the past is they described her as a risk taker, kind of a gambler when it comes to making political calculations. What many people suspect is that she seems to be placing her bets here on the US Actually achieving a regime change in Venezuela, which could potentially be a boon for Trinidad and Tobago.

[Apple News Host]

One thing she might be banking on.

[Shemitah Basu]

New Venezuelan leadership that might be more open to standing by their business deals.

[Apple News Host]

Now for a negotiation standoff, not in.

[Shemitah Basu]

Congress, but between two media giants.

[Apple News Host]

As lots of people have canceled their.

[Shemitah Basu]

Cable subscriptions, many have turned instead to YouTube TV, which Google owns.

[Apple News Host]

With its 10 million subscriber base, it's.

[Shemitah Basu]

The fourth largest cable TV provider.

[Apple News Host]

And for many, there is one big.

[Shemitah Basu]

Sports but right now, subscribers are losing out.

[Apple News Host]

Last week, YouTube announced that it would.

[Shemitah Basu]

Not be airing any Disney owned stations, which includes ABC and ESPN. That means that as many as 10 million people who rely on YouTube TV for streaming sports missed out on Monday Night Football this past week.

[Apple News Host]

And it's not just sports.

[Shemitah Basu]

Disney's whole stable is down, including ABC and FX.

[Apple News Host]

Here's CNBC's Julia Boorstin speaking on the.

[Shemitah Basu]

Network about what the two companies are arguing over.

[Julia Boorstin]

Disney and YouTube have been battling about both compensation, along with whether Disney's streaming app's content should be ingested into YouTube streaming platform to make it easier to watch all at once.

[Shemitah Basu]

And the sticking point is money.

[Apple News Host]

Google says that Disney is demanding too.

[Shemitah Basu]

Much for all the channels in question, and Disney says that in turn, Google is not paying fair rates until the.

[Apple News Host]

Two sides come to an agreement.

[Shemitah Basu]

There's a blackout. Customers have been offered a partial credit and a refund if the standoff drags on.

[Apple News Host]

The dispute has even compelled some of.

[Shemitah Basu]

Its network's biggest stars to weigh in on the air. Here's Pat McAfee, ESPN's popular on air and podcast host.

[Pat McAfee]

So this ESPN, YouTube TV thing is like a real, I mean this is a real hey, you guys need to figure this out type situation for sports fans because it felt like YouTube TV was actually crafted for sports fans.

[Apple News Host]

The LA Times notes that for many.

[Shemitah Basu]

Whether you pay for it or not, YouTube isn't just competing with traditional television, it is television.

[Apple News Host]

And its influence is being felt more.

[Shemitah Basu]

And more as other platforms are starting.

[Apple News Host]

To mimic the site, which is the.

[Shemitah Basu]

Most watched streamer on TV screens across.

[Apple News Host]

The U.S. meanwhile, ratings for ESPN's Monday Night Football game this week between the.

[Shemitah Basu]

Cowboys and Cardinals were significantly lower than normal.

[Apple News Host]

Sports Illustrated notes the game drew just.

[Shemitah Basu]

16.1 million viewers, a stunningly low number considering the presence of the Cowboys, who usually draw big ratings. No matter what.

[Apple News Host]

It's yet to be seen what'll happen.

[Shemitah Basu]

This coming Monday when two powerhouse teams, the Eagles and the packers, face off.

[Apple News Host]

Before we let you go, a few.

[Shemitah Basu]

Other stories we're following.

[Apple News Host]

A federal judge ruled the Trump administration.

[Shemitah Basu]

Must fully fund SNAP benefits for the month of November.

[Apple News Host]

The administration previously said it would only.

[Shemitah Basu]

Pay half of the allotted amount to.

[Apple News Host]

Recipients after a judge forced the government.

[Shemitah Basu]

To tap an emergency fund to pay for the program.

[Apple News Host]

Food stamp funding was set to lapse.

[Shemitah Basu]

On November 1 due to the shutdown.

[Apple News Host]

It's been a bit of a back.

[Shemitah Basu]

And forth for those who rely on the program.

[Apple News Host]

On Wednesday, the USDA said it had corrected an error and recipients would receive.

[Shemitah Basu]

65% of their benefits.

[Apple News Host]

The administration on Thursday appealed the judge's.

[Shemitah Basu]

Ruling on fully funding snap, throwing into question when people will actually get their food benefits and how much they will receive.

[Apple News Host]

What is Elon Musk worth to Tesla?

[Shemitah Basu]

Apparently $1 trillion.

[Apple News Host]

Yesterday, shareholders approved a record setting pay.

[Shemitah Basu]

Package with more than 75% of the votes cast, according to the Wall Street Journal.

[Apple News Host]

The vote was seen as a referendum.

[Shemitah Basu]

On Musk's and his vision for humanoid robotics.

[Apple News Host]

At the shareholder meeting, he appeared on.

[Shemitah Basu]

Stage flanked by dancing robots and said.

[Apple News Host]

They were embarking on not merely a.

[Shemitah Basu]

New chapter of the future of Tesla, but a whole new book.

[Apple News Host]

And finally, we've all been guilty of.

[Shemitah Basu]

Having a bad password, or one that's really easy to guess.

[Apple News Host]

But it turns out security at the.

[Shemitah Basu]

Louvre took that notion to a whole new level. A museum employee says the password to the surveillance system when the museum was robbed was simply the word Louvre Security at the world's most famous museum is under intense scrutiny after last month's brazen daytime heist of $102 million worth of historic jewelry.

[Apple News Host]

Louvre officials also said in testimony the.

[Shemitah Basu]

Gallery where the jewels were taken only had one external camera that did not face the window where the thieves entered. Four people have been arrested in connection to the heist. One is still at large.

[Apple News Host]

You can find all these stories and.

[Shemitah Basu]

More in the Apple News app.

[Apple News Host]

And if you're already listening in the.

[Shemitah Basu]

News app right now, stick around for the latest episode of Apple News. In Conversation this week, I sat down with the journalist Irene Carmon to hear about her new book, five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America.

[Apple News Host]

Over the past few years, Carmon followed.

[Shemitah Basu]

Several families and how they navigated fertility struggles, pregnancy, birth and loss.

[Irene Carmon]

America has failed to see us as fully people, as fully human, who are in possession of our full faculties, and instead as a means to an end or a vessel.

[Apple News Host]

If you're listening in the podcast app.

[Shemitah Basu]

You can follow Apple News in Conversation to find that episode or come back to the Apple News Today feed tomorrow.

[Apple News Host]

All new episodes of In Conversation will.

[Shemitah Basu]

Be available there on Saturdays, too. Enjoy the weekend and we'll be back with the news on Monday.