The Democratic governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, has publicly challenged former President Donald Trump after the Republican leader made remarks about Pritzker’s weight. In a heated exchange, Pritzker stated that Trump is “not in good shape” himself, amidst rising tensions regarding the potential deployment of the national guard in Chicago.
On Monday, Trump suggested that Pritzker “ought to spend more time in the gym,” insinuating that the governor was “too busy eating” to effectively lead Illinois. This comment came as Trump campaigns for a second presidential term, which commenced in January 2024. Notably, Trump, who stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall, has a documented weight of 224 pounds, as noted in his annual physical examination in April. The former president has a history of making personal attacks based on physical appearance, targeting various individuals including comedian Rosie O’Donnell and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie.
Responding to Trump’s jibes, Governor Pritzker did not hold back. He remarked, “It takes one to know one on the weight question,” emphasizing that Trump’s own physical condition is questionable. He further criticized Trump for his media habits, claiming the president “does not read” and only consumes news via television. Pritzker encouraged outlets like Fox News or Newsmax to share his message with Trump, asserting, “I would say also that his personal attacks on me are just evidence of a guy who’s still living in fifth grade.”
The exchange of insults between Pritzker and Trump unfolds as the former president contemplates federalizing the national guard to address what he describes as a crime wave in Chicago. Local leaders, including Pritzker, argue that such a move would represent an unnecessary overreach of power. Trump has previously deployed the national guard in cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
During his comments, Trump indicated he might wait for an official request from Pritzker to deploy the national guard, a standard protocol, but hinted at acting unilaterally if he deems it necessary. “Chicago, everybody knows how bad it is,” Trump stated, characterizing the city as a “killing field.” He addressed concerns that his approach may seem authoritarian, saying, “A lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we’d like a dictator.’ I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator.”
While the White House acknowledges that Chicago faces significant crime challenges, it highlighted that the city recorded 573 murders in 2024, the highest number among U.S. cities. However, this figure represents the lowest homicide rate since 2019, and crime rates have decreased significantly compared to previous years. Similarly, Washington, D.C. experienced its lowest crime rate in 30 years before Trump’s military deployment.
In a pointed response to Trump’s intentions, Pritzker declared, “Do not come to Chicago; you are neither wanted here nor needed here.” He criticized Trump for wanting to use the military to “occupy a U.S. city to punish its dissidents and score political points.” Pritzker further asserted that if such actions were occurring in another country, it would be labeled as a “dangerous power grab.”
