Trump's niece Mary calls his Chicago takeover threat a distraction from his 'failing health'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is facing new criticism from within his own family after his niece, Mary Trump, accused him of threatening to seize control of Chicago to cover up growing concerns about his health.

Her remarks came shortly after the former president announced a possible federal takeover of the city, citing crime and immigration issues.

Donald Trump pushes federal takeover of Chicago and Baltimore

During an Oval Office appearance, Trump said he was prepared to step in if Illinois officials failed to act. “If the governor of Illinois would call me up, I would love to do it. Now we're going to do it anyway. We have the right to do it because I have an obligation to protect this country, and that includes Baltimore,” Trump said on September 2. 

The plan is not expected to involve National Guard troops or the military. Instead, officials said it will focus on immigration enforcement, as both Chicago and Illinois maintain strong restrictions on cooperating with federal deportation efforts.

Mary Trump calls Chicago takeover threat a distraction from scandals and health

Soon after taking control of Washington, DC, Trump repeatedly threatened a similar takeover of Chicago as he continues to clash with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, who are vehemently opposing the potential move. 

Mary Trump, who has written three books about her famous yet estranged uncle and regularly criticizes him on her YouTube channel, accused him of using the Chicago announcement to shift attention.

“Well, as always, it has to do with trying to distract us for the Epstein scandal, his failing health, the economy he single-handedly is tanking, and all of his other failures, which are so numerous, I don't have time to mention all of them. We cannot afford to keep having taxpayer money wasted in this way,” said Mary.

Trump dismisses health rumors as White House issues explanation

Speculation about the president’s health has grown after a week of limited appearances and recent photos showing bruising on his hand and swelling around his ankles.

At Trump’s first public event in a week, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked: “How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead? Did you see that?” 

The president rejected the chatter. “I knew they were saying, like: ‘Is he OK? How is he feeling? What’s wrong?’” Trump said, calling it “fake news” and insisting he was “very active over the weekend.”

The White House confirmed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which veins in the legs cannot properly carry blood back to the heart, causing swelling.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the bruising on Trump’s hand came from “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” noting that he takes the medication regularly to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.