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Trump Threatens Chicago: Pritzker Fires Back With Sharp Remark About Weight

After a bloody weekend in Chicago, Trump threatens to send in the National Guard. Governor JB Pritzker fires back—not just on policy, but with a pointed jab about Trump’s physique.

Raymond Cunningham from Homer Illinois, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Raymond Cunningham from Homer Illinois, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mikkel Preisler
By Mikkel Preisler 31. August 2025

Bloody Weekend Sparks Political Storm

Six people were killed and another 24 wounded in Chicago last weekend. Donald Trump responded by threatening—with little subtlety—to send the National Guard into the city. On Truth Social, he called Illinois Governor JB Pritzker “weak and incompetent” and warned: “He is CRAZY!!! He better get it together, FAST, or we will come!”

Pritzker quickly fired back, labeling the threat “unconstitutional” and a “dangerous power grab.”

When Weight Becomes Politics

The debate hasn’t just been about crime. Trump took the opportunity to mock Pritzker’s weight loss, suggesting he should “spend more time at the gym.”

Pritzker replied coolly: “Takes one to know one, when it comes to weight.”

Behind the banter, some strategists see a hidden dimension: Pritzker’s notable weight loss could signal a presidential bid in 2028. As consultant David Kochel notes: “If you want to look younger and healthier, it makes political sense.”

Heated Political Duel

For Trump, Chicago is a favorite battleground: he uses the city’s high crime rates as a symbol of Democratic failure, reinforcing his brand as a “law-and-order” leader. For Pritzker, the feud is a chance to demonstrate resilience and tenacity as a counterweight to Trump.

Chicago’s mayor, Brandon Johnson, has also rejected the idea of military intervention: “We will do whatever it takes to defend our democracy and protect our communities.”

Who Stands to Gain?

The clash between the two politicians could define more than just Chicago. Trump scores points with his core base, while Pritzker may enhance his national profile and lay the groundwork for a presidential campaign.

Chicago remains a perennial testing ground: the city has had the most homicides in the U.S. for 13 consecutive years, serving as the backdrop for a political drama where both law and order and personal image are at stake.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.

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