Paul Pelosi gets standing ovation in first public appearance since attack

Paul Pelosi was seen in attendance at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, DC on Sunday evening, his first public appearance since being attacked by a man with a hammer in his own home more than a month ago, the New York Post reports.

The series of photographs show Paul Pelosi, 82, accompanied by his wife, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, also 82, wearing a hat and a single glove.



He was hospitalized for nearly a week following the attack, where doctors had to remove his skull, reshape it, and fuse it back following the violent attack. According to his wife at the time of his release, he still faces a "long haul" to a full recovery.

"It's going to take a while," Nancy Pelosi told reporters last week regarding her husband's recovery. "Head injuries ... they have an impact beyond surgery. It's a big thing."

David DePape, 42, was arrested for the attack and was subsequently charged with attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, and assault. His alleged target when he came to the house was Nancy Pelosi, but she was not home at the time.

The circumstances surrounding DePape's apparent break-in remain curious, as court documents state that Mr. Pelosi was not in immediate danger when police arrived, and just before the attack, he told the police that everything was good. 

Sitting side-by-side in a box seat at the Kennedy Opera House, Paul and Nancy Pelosi can be seen next to Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff. 

Also in attendance for the 45th Kennedy Center Honors that evening were President Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden and wife Melissa Cohen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The event, which was hosted by English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, saw George Clooney, singers Amy Grant and Gladys Knight, composer Tania León and the four U2 band members all honored.