Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker punched back at Donald Trump’s most recent dig at his weight, telling the president on Monday, “It takes one to know one on the weight question.”
“And the president, of course, himself, is not in good shape,” Pritzker continued. “So, he ought to respond to that from me.”
Amid Trump’s threats to perhaps deploy federal troops in Chicago during his supposed crime crackdown, the president and Pritzker have gotten personal.
Pritzker said Trump’s “attacks on me are just evidence of a guy who’s still living in fifth grade. He’s the kind of bully that throws invectives at people, because he knows that what he’s saying is actually commentary on himself.”
Earlier Monday Trump complained that Pritzker and other Democratic leaders aren’t asking to have the military deployed in their regions ― then suddenly pivoted to mocking the governor’s body.
“I hate to barge in on a city and then be treated horribly by corrupt politicians and bad politicians like a guy like Pritzker,” Trump said. “He ought to spend more time in the gym actually.”
Earlier this month. Trump took a passive-aggressive shot at Pritzker as they sparred over the possibility of Trump ordering in troops.
“Now I understand he wants to be president, but I noticed he lost a little weight,” Trump said. “So maybe he has a chance.”
“Donald, thanks for the compliment!” Pritzker replied on X. “Let’s not lie to the public, you and I both know you have no authority to take over Chicago. By the way, where are the Epstein files?”
Pritzker, who is seen as a 2028 presidential contender, has poked fun at himself on national television. On “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in May he read off possible nicknames for himself, including JB Pizza, JB Back Ribs (his preference) and JB ‘The Refrigerator’ Pritzker.
Trump plays golf but is in questionable shape. He appears overweight and has been dealing with swelling in his legs and bruising on his hands.
After his most recent physical exam in April, his doctor said he had lost 20 pounds since his previous presidential checkup in 2020 when he weighed 244 pounds. The doctor cited his “active lifestyle.” But some of Trump’s health reports might be taken with a grain of salt.