Trump tells 'slob' JB Pritzker to 'spend more time in gym' while threatening to send troops to Chicago
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump slammed Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for criticizing his plans to end crime in Chicago.
His remarks came after a report suggested his administration was considering sending thousands of National Guard members into the city.
Trump on Pritzker: "He ought to spend more time in the gym." pic.twitter.com/Yt6pJWFm4f
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 25, 2025
Donald Trump rips JB Pritzker
Speaking from the Oval Office, Donald Trump signed an executive order addressing no-cash bail in Washington, DC. Praising the National Guard for making DC "booming," he turned his criticism toward JB Pritzker.
"In a certain way, you really want to be asked to go. You know? I’d hate to barge in on a city and then be treated horribly by corrupt politicians and bad politicians like a guy like Pritzker. He ought to spend more time in the gym, actually. The guy is a disaster," Trump said.
The president continued by criticizing the city itself. "Chicago, Illinois, is a disaster. I have property there. It’s a disaster."
Donald Trump says Chicago is a 'killing field'
The tension escalated after a Washington Post report revealed Pentagon plans to deploy National Guard members to Chicago, which Trump defended by arguing Pritzker had no grounds to oppose.
"A slob like Pritzker criticizing us before we even go there. I made the statement that next should be Chicago, because as you all know, Chicago is a killing field right now," said Trump.
He also responded to accusations that his actions reflected authoritarianism.
"And they don’t acknowledge it. And they say, 'We don’t need them. Freedom, freedom. He’s a dictator. He’s a dictator.' A lot of people are saying, 'Maybe we like a dictator?' I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator; I’m a man with great common sense and a smart person," said Trump.
JB Pritzker says there is no emergency in Chicago
Illinois leaders pushed back, noting that crime trends in the city were improving. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson pointed to falling violent crime numbers, in line with national urban patterns this year.
"There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the [Illinois National Guard], deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military without our own borders," Pritzker said in a thread on X.
We don’t play those games. Our commitment to law and order is delivering results.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) August 22, 2025
Crime rates are improving. Homicides are down by more than 30% in Chicago in the last year alone.
Our progress in lowering crime has been made possible with CIV programs that they’re defunding.
He added that Trump was "attempting to manufacture a crisis." The remarks followed Trump's announcement of his plans to crack down on crime in Chicago last week.
Pritzker was also expected to hold a press conference Monday afternoon to reinforce that federal troops were unnecessary in Chicago immediately after Trump's remarks.
Internet reacts as Donald Trump ridicules JB Pritzker
The heated exchange quickly sparked reactions online, with users weighing in on Trump’s remarks.
"So true," wrote one user.
Another quipped, "Is there a mirror in front of him?"
One person sided with Trump, saying, "He’s not wrong!"
"A little diet and some time in the gym sure wouldn't hurt JB! He's a walking heart attack! 🤣🤣🤣," joked another.
A little diet and some time in the gym sure wouldn't hurt JB! He's a walking heart attack! 🤣🤣🤣
— DCancilla (@DCancilla62093) August 25, 2025
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
