Karoline Leavitt Blasts Pelosi’s $400M Portfolio, Backs Insider Trading Ban for Congress

 

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2025
White House Press Office

Karoline Leavitt Reads Staggering Stats on Pelosi Portfolio as Insider Trading Bill Gains Steam

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During Thursday’s White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt laid out explosive statistics on former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s financial gains, suggesting her stock market performance is a driving force behind growing bipartisan support for banning congressional stock trading.

Leavitt's comments came amid renewed debate over Senator Josh Hawley's proposed Insider Trading Ban for Congress Act, which seeks to bar members of Congress and their spouses from buying and selling individual stocks while in office.

"The President has spoken to Senator Hawley, who called him, and the President took that call," said Leavitt. “As the President said in the Roosevelt Room yesterday, conceptually, he of course supports the idea of ensuring that members of Congress and U.S. Senators — who are here for public service — cannot enrich themselves.”

Leavitt then cited staggering financial figures surrounding Pelosi's wealth, alleging that the California Democrat exemplifies why such legislation is needed.

“Nancy Pelosi makes $174,000 a year, yet she has a net worth of approximately $413 million,” Leavitt stated. “In 2024 alone, her stock portfolio grew by 70%, outperforming every single major hedge fund, and more than doubling the return of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.”

The revelation drew gasps from members of the press, with many scribbling down the figures as Leavitt continued to frame the debate not just as a matter of policy, but of public trust.

“The President stands with the American people on this,” she said. “He doesn’t want to see people like Nancy Pelosi enriching themselves off of public service and ripping off their constituents in the process.”

Leavitt emphasized that the White House is still working closely with lawmakers on the mechanics of the bill and how it will be advanced through Congress.

Background: The debate over congressional insider trading has intensified in recent years, with critics pointing to high-profile lawmakers whose portfolios seem to benefit from privileged information. Pelosi, long a lightning rod for such scrutiny, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, often pointing to her husband's financial decisions as separate from her role in government.

Still, with President Trump publicly endorsing the concept of a trading ban and Republicans like Senator Hawley championing the legislation, momentum appears to be building — and fast.

“We are in active discussions with our friends on Capitol Hill,” Leavitt concluded. “This is a priority for the President, and he believes transparency and accountability must be restored to public office.”

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❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What did Karoline Leavitt say about Nancy Pelosi's financial portfolio?
A: Leavitt revealed that Pelosi’s net worth is approximately $413 million and her 2024 stock portfolio grew by 70%, outperforming major hedge funds and even Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.

Q2. Why is Pelosi’s portfolio being discussed in a White House press briefing?
A: Her financial gains are being cited as a key reason for supporting legislation that would ban members of Congress from trading stocks while in office.

Q3. What bill is currently under discussion regarding insider trading?
A: Senator Josh Hawley’s proposed bill aims to ban stock trading by members of Congress and their spouses to prevent financial conflicts of interest.

Q4. Does President Trump support the bill?
A: Yes. According to Leavitt, Trump "conceptually supports" the idea and wants to ensure that elected officials cannot use their position to enrich themselves.

Q5. Has the White House spoken with Senator Josh Hawley about the bill?
A: Yes. Trump personally spoke with Senator Hawley, and the White House is engaged in ongoing discussions with lawmakers to move the bill forward.

Q6. Is this just targeting Nancy Pelosi?
A: While Pelosi was a primary example due to her wealth and returns, the bill targets all members of Congress equally and is framed as a matter of public accountability.

Q7. What is the public response to the bill so far?
A: The proposal has received growing bipartisan support, especially among Americans frustrated with perceived corruption and self-enrichment in politics.