Follow Us

Nancy Pelosi mocked for wishing Americans a 'happy shwanza' in flub of Kwanzaa

"Happy holidays, merry Christmas, happy Shwanza, happy Hanukkah," Pelosi said.

Published: December 26, 2022 7:08am

Updated: December 26, 2022 8:18am

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is being mocked on social media for wishing Americans a "happy shwanza," seemingly botching the pronunciation of Kwanzaa, a seven-day holiday after Christmas to celebrate African American culture.  

"I yield back the balance of my time and wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe New Year. Happy holidays, merry Christmas, happy Shwanza, happy Hanukkah. Whatever it is you celebrate, be safe," Pelosi, a California Democrat, said Friday at the end of her remarks urging her colleagues to vote for the $1.7 trillion spending bill, which ultimately passed.

"She forgot Festivus," one Twitter user responded to a video of Pelosi's flub with a reference to the made-up holiday on the sitcom "Seinfeld."

"Truth be told, Pelosi’s an idiot with power," conservative talk show host Mark Levin tweeted with a link to a story about Pelosi's gaffe.

"Happy Shwanza to all and to all a good night," conservative strategist Greg Price tweeted with a photo of Pelosi kneeling while wearing an African-style scarf.

Another Twitter wrote a line to a poem similar to "The Night Before Christmas."

"It was the Night before Shwanza and all through the howsh, not a creature wash shober, eshpecially Nanshee the soushe," the user said.

Pelosi, 82, is stepping down as House Speaker next month as Republicans will be sworn into the majority.

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Just the News Spotlight