Trump on Pelosi: ‘She’s lost it’

President Trump on Thursday escalated his attacks on Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) by questioning her mental stability and arguing that she does not understand his revision of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Trump fired back at Pelosi hours after she questioned his fitness for office, accusing her of making “a nasty-type statement” by saying he needs a family or staff “intervention” for the good of the country.

“I have been watching her for a long period of time. She’s not the same person. She’s lost it,” Trump said during an event announcing a $16 billion aid package for farmers hurt by his trade war with China, which turned into an impromptu news conference.

The vitriolic back-and-forth came one day after infrastructure talks at the White House collapsed when Trump lashed out at top Democrats over their sweeping investigations into his administration, campaign and businesses, which raised serious doubts about whether the two sides can work together on major legislation.

The tenor of the Trump-Pelosi feud turned personal, with the president vehemently denying he was rude during Wednesday’s ill-fated meeting at the White House. Trump compared his behavior to “Crazy Nancy,” who had accused him of throwing a “temper tantrum.”

Trump said during the meeting it was “sad” to watch “the movement and the hands and the craziness.”

“That’s, by the way, a person that’s got some problems,” he said.

The president then went around the room and asked five different aides to attest to his mood.

“I’ve seen both. And this was not angry and ranting,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabe Sanders said, prompting laughter in the room.

The president later called himself “an extremely stable genius” who is focused on advancing his agenda, while “do-nothing” Democrats are consumed with investigations.

“When the ‘extremely stable genius’ starts acting more presidential, I’ll be happy to work with him on infrastructure, trade and other issues,” Pelosi responded on Twitter.

When the “extremely stable genius” starts acting more presidential, I’ll be happy to work with him on infrastructure, trade and other issues. https://t.co/tfWVkj9CLT

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) May 23, 2019

Trump said Pelosi’s alleged lack of understanding of his NAFTA revision was the primary reason it has yet to move in the House, which needs to approve it before it can be ratified. Pelosi has previously said cited concerns with labor and environmental provisions as the reason for the hold-up.

“She’s a mess. Look, let’s face it. She doesn’t understand it. And [administration officials] sort of feel she’s disintegrating before their eyes,” he said.

But the president reiterated his belief he might be able to work with Democrats on trade, immigration and other issues if they end their investigations.

“Let them get this angst out of their belt and when it is, we can get things done so fast your head will spin,” he said.