Illinois Governor JB Pritzker responded sharply to President Donald Trump’s recent personal attacks on his weight, famously saying, “It takes one to know one.” This exchange highlights the escalating tensions between the two political figures amid ongoing disputes over federal intervention in Democratic-run cities.
The conflict intensified after Trump publicly criticized Pritzker, calling him a “disaster” and mocking his weight by telling him he should spend more time at the gym. Trump, who reportedly weighs 224 pounds and has been seen walking with swollen ankles, suggested the Illinois governor focus on fitness rather than his political positions. This verbal jab came as Trump’s administration considers deploying more National Guard troops to cities such as Chicago, Baltimore, and New York as part of a crime crackdown policy.
Pritzker has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s proposal to send federal troops to Illinois, defending his state’s sovereignty and criticizing what he terms an attempt by Trump to politicize law enforcement and manufacture a crisis. In response to Trump’s remarks and military plans, Pritzker called the president’s behavior abusive and politically motivated, stating that the president is using servicemen and women as pawns to distract from broader issues affecting working families.
The escalating feud unfolded publicly over the last week with Trump making comments in the Oval Office about Pritzker’s fitness and competence, while Pritzker fired back on social media and in press statements with pointed, sometimes humorous, rebuttals. Pritzker’s quip “It takes one to know one” not only counters the shameless personal insults but also underlines his refusal to be intimidated by the president’s attacks.
This clash occurs amid heightened national debate concerning crime and federal authority in urban centers, with Trump’s push for a stronger law enforcement presence in major cities causing friction with local officials. Many Democrat officials in the targeted cities, including Pritzker, view the deployments as unnecessary and disrespectful federal overreach.
Political analysts note that the spat exemplifies the deep division and personal animosity characterizing current national politics, especially between President Trump and Democrat governors who oppose his agenda.
As the dispute continues, all eyes remain on Chicago and Illinois, where the political battle reflects broader national debates on governance, federalism, and public safety strategies.