When asked afterwards "Why did you tear up the speech?"

Pelosi responded:

"Because it was the courteous thing to do... It was the courteous thing to do considering the alternative."

One can only wonder what the alternative was.

One year after Nancy Pelosi's famous SOTU 2019 handclap...

... and one failed impeachment later, Trump returned the favor and snubbed Pelosi's handshake as he took the stage at today's SOTU address.

Pelosi, as expected, snubbed Trump right back, introducing him only as "The President of the United States", whereas traditionally the speaker has used the language: "I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the President of the United States."