Nancy Pelosi enjoyed ‘retail therapy’ in Hawaii ahead of high-stakes Taiwan trip

If Speaker Nancy Pelosi was feeling nervous about the global political fall-out from her trip to Taiwan, she may have taken some of the edge off a few days earlier by shopping in Hawaii and picking up some elegant cashmere scarves.

TMZ posted video Wednesday of Pelosi taking a break on her way to Taiwan to stroll through the posh Royal Hawaiian Resort in Honolulu this past weekend. The famous pink resort on Waikiki Beach boasts a number of high-end shops, including Pashma, which says it is “world-renowned” for its collection of handcrafted cashmere scarves and knitwear.

The video showed Pelosi in the boutique, which appeared to have been cleared of other customers for her shopping convenience. A large contingent of security officers, dressed casually in Hawaii-appropriate street clothes, stood outside the shop, while the congress member from San Francisco looked through the racks at different garments.

Nancy Pelosi just touched down in Taiwan for a big show of defiance toward China — an ominous trip that she apparently needed to prep for … with some island window-shopping. https://t.co/JIlM5rksgS

— TMZ (@TMZ) August 3, 2022

Wearing a trim blue suit and wedge-heeled shoes, Pelosi looked to be particularly impressed by a large, elegant scarf with a dark floral pattern. Witnesses told TMZ Pelosi purchased a few items, including a couple cashmere scarves.

Perhaps Pelosi was purchasing the scarves to present as gifts to Taiwanese leaders she was to meet on  Wednesday. Or perhaps shopping was a way for Pelosi to relax ahead a trip that many aren’t happy about because of the repercussions it could have for U.S.-China relations and for America’s efforts to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.

The Washington Post editorial board condemned Pelosi’s trip during such “unsettled” times in Asia and Europe and noted that she had been warned against going by President Joe Biden and other members of her own party.

China, which has long claimed sovereignty over Taiwan, said, starting Thursday, it would conduct a series of military drills near the island’s coast in response to Pelosi’s visit, the New York Times reported.

Despite threats from China, Pelosi offered Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen assurances of U.S. support during a meeting Wednesday, the New York Times added.

“Today the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy,” Pelosi said. “America’s determination to preserve democracy here in Taiwan and around the world remains ironclad.”

While the Washington Post editorial board said it shares Pelosi’s strong support for a democratic Taiwan, it questioned the necessity of the trip at this time. “However much the 82-year-old Ms. Pelosi might want a capstone event for her time as speaker — before a likely GOP victory in November ends it — going to Taiwan now, as President Xi Jinping of China is orchestrating his third term, was unwise,” the board said.