“The Whole Thing Was Staged and Orchestrated”: January 6 Footage Shows Conversation Between Pelosi and Pence During Capitol Breach

Cynthia PaulNov 25, 2023

Minute Read

Online conspiracy theories claim that a video compilation featuring former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking with former Vice President Mike Pence over the phone during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, was “staged.”

Trump’s Baseless Claims of Election Being Stolen From Him

As of Sunday afternoon, the video has had over 295,000 views. Robert The Builder, a user on X, originally tweeted the video on Saturday. In the first video, Democratic senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Nancy Pelosi of California can be seen conversing with Pence at approximately six o’clock on January 6, the day that supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C., to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. Trump had declared—without providing any supporting documentation—that massive voting fraud had stolen the election from him.

623 People Sentenced for Capitol Insurrection

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According to the most recent statistics from the Department of Justice (DOJ), over 1,200 persons have been charged concerning the uprising. Of them, over 400 are suspected of assaulting or obstructing police officers, which is a crime. Early in September, the DOJ’s Washington, D.C. office reported that 623 individuals had been sentenced, but not all of them had received prison terms; around 657 individuals had entered guilty pleas to federal charges, “many of whom faced or will face incarceration at sentencing.”

Pence and Schumer Phone Call Leaked

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Pence remarked, “I’m at the Capitol building,” during the conversation with Pelosi and Schumer over the phone. “I’m literally standing with the Chief of Police, of the U.S. Capitol Police.” After then, the video ends. Pence may then be heard stating, “They believe that the House and the Senate will be able to reconvene in roughly an hour.”

Next Clip Shows Pelosi and Schumer on Riot Day

In the subsequent video, Pelosi and Schumer are shown on the same day, but this time, Republican senator from Iowa Chuck Grassley is standing by them as they speak with Pence. The dialogue in this segment of the video, which was exclusive to CNN, was essentially the same as in the previous one.

Exact Same Recording. Two Different Shots

“Exact same recording. Two different shots. One with Grassley—one without Grassley,” was the last phrase to appear at the end of the video collection.

The Whole Thing Was Staged

After seeing the video, people quickly began pointing out conspiracies on social media. Just Greg, an X user, stated, “The whole d**n thing was staged, filmed, and orchestrated by Pelosi”

Both Takes Could Be Staged. By Who? CNN? Pelosi?

“Pelosi and Schumer’s mannerisms are different as well” remarked user Christina Olnick. “They aren’t talking to Pence, just listening. Both takes coul[d] be staged. By who? CNN? Pelosi?”

These Incoherent Conspiracy Theories Are Nonsense

Pelosi’s spokesman Aaron Bennett sent an email to Newsweek on Sunday stating: “These incoherent conspiracy theories are nonsense. As numerous independent fact-checkers have repeatedly proven, Speaker Pelosi did not plan her own assassination.”

“Careful” Warns the Internet

Some, however, disagreed with the notion that the two recordings were identical. John Silks, an X user, commented: “Careful. Just because there are 2 videos with people wearing masks listening to the same phone audio doesn’t mean the audio is original on both.”

You’re Always Pushing Conspiracies

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“So Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer received information from Mike Pence and wanted to have Chuck Grassley, the highest ranking GOP official in the room, receive the same info,” Arthur Casey, a user of X, explained. “Unless you think Democrats opened up some kind of space-time portal, you’re always pushing conspiracies.”

Alexandra Pelosi’s ‘The Insurrectionist Next Door’

A lengthy exclusive that aired on Anderson Cooper 360° was the source of the CNN footage that was utilized in the compilation. On October 13, 2022, Alexandra Pelosi, the daughter of Nancy Pelosi, who produced the HBO documentary The Insurrectionist Next Door about January 6, uploaded the footage on YouTube. Alexandra Pelosi then sent the film to CNN.

Pence Leaks Information About House Committee Convening

Pence tells Pelosi and Schumer, “I’m at the Capital building,” at the beginning of the tape. “I’m literally standing with the Chief of Police, of the U.S. Capitol Police, Steven Sund. He just informed me what you will hear through official channels. Paul Irving, your Sergeant-at-Arms, will inform you that their best information is that they believe that the House and the Senate will be able to reconvene in roughly an hour.”

Pence Very Pleased to Hear From the Chief

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Grassley enters the room as he is speaking with Pence on the phone. Then Grassley approaches the phone to listen to Pence’s words. Later, Pence says again, “I was very pleased to hear from the chief. He came over, he joined me here in the basement of the Capitol to inform me they think you’ll be able to reconvene the Senate and Madame Speaker you’ll be able to reconvene the House in roughly an hour.”

Pelosi Muted in One of the Videos

There was a noticeable difference between the brief clip that was uploaded to X and the original CNN footage that was uploaded to YouTube: Pelosi was muted in the latter.

Desperation, Thy Name Is Republican

“Desperation, thy name is Republican. I was a registered Republican for 20+ years, and after this MAGA nonsense and the destruction they cause on a daily basis, I will never vote for any GOP candidate ever again. Never,” remarked one user.

Trump Team Still Delivers Unwavering Support

Republicans were quick to come to Pence’s support saying, “Those secure borders, low energy prices, low mortgage rates and low inflation plus no wars is destruction on a daily basis.”