Nancy Pelosi slammed for ‘fat-shaming’ remarks after she gleefully called Trump ‘morbidly obese’

People are calling out Nancy Pelosi for "fatphobia" after she referred to Donald Trump as "morbidly obese" in an interview.

The Speaker of the House commented on Trump's weight when asked whether she was concerned by his revelation that he has been taking hydroxychloroquine for "weeks", despite testing negative for Covid-19.

Trump has repeatedly touted hydroxychloroquine, a malaria medicine, as a treatment for Covid-19 despite a lack of evidence of its efficacy, and its possibly dangerous side effects.

Speaking to Anderson Cooper on CNN, Pelosi said:

He is our president and I'd rather he not be taking something that's not been approved by the scientists, especially in his age group and his, shall we say, weight group, morbidly obese.

I think it's not a good idea. 

Trump is 73. Following a doctor's checkup in February last year, The New York Times reported that Trump's weight could officially be classified as obese, as he registered a Body Mass Index of 30.4. The threshold for severe or "morbid" obesity is a BMI of 40.

Regardless Pelosi's accuracy, many of her supporters interpreted her statements as "shade", rather than genuine concern.

But in spite of the support Pelosi's comments have received from some, she is also facing a significant backlash for fat-shaming the president.

People have also pointed out that her personal comments detract from her valid criticisms of the president.

And that "morbidly obese" is an outdated and problematic phrase, anyway.

Although Pelosi's criticisms of Trump taking hydroxychloroquine are certainly valid (especially amidst reports he stands to gain financially from advertising it), fat-shaming is not the way to hold the president to account.