Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker clapped back at Donald Trump’s weight jab, saying the president is “not in good shape.”
Trump targeted the rumored Democratic 2028 contender in the Oval Office on Monday. “He ought to spend more time at the gym, actually. The guy is a disaster,” the 79-year-old president said after Pritzker criticized Trump’s D.C. crime crackdown, which Trump is threatening to extend to Chicago.
Pritzker responded later on Monday and pulled no punches. “It takes one to know one on the weight question,” Pritzker said. “And the president, of course, himself, is not in good shape. So, he ought to respond to that from me.”
Pritzker suggested that Trump is projecting his own insecurities when he makes personal barbs and likened his style to that of a child. “I would say also that his personal attacks on me are just evidence of a guy who’s still living in fifth grade,” he added.
“He’s the kind of bully that throws invectives at people, because he knows that what he’s saying is actually commentary on himself.”
Pritzker’s comments on Trump’s fitness came after the president once again displayed his wobbly walk over the weekend, complete with a fresh bruise on his left hand, to match the one that regularly appears on his right. Trump has also appeared to have swollen ankles lately, and even struggles to see people who are right in front of him.
He also attempted to cover his bruised hand during his Oval Office appearance Monday. Despite these issues, Trump’s former physician Rep. Ronny Jackson told the Daily Beast that he “is the healthiest president this nation has ever seen.”
“As President Trump’s former personal physician, former Physician to the President, and White House physician for 14 years across three administrations, I can tell you unequivocally: President Donald J. Trump is the healthiest president this nation has ever seen,” the doctor turned Congressman said in an emailed statement.
“I continue to consult with his current physician and medical team at the White House and still spend significant time with the President. He is mentally and physically sharper than ever before.”
White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston added: “President Trump is the most active and transparent president in American history. Meanwhile, Joe Biden’s handlers covered up his mental decline for four years while they did everything in their power to destroy America.”
Deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson followed up with a further statement, encouraging Democrats to spend less time on TV. “If these Democrats spent half as much time addressing crime in their cities as they did going on cable news to complain about President Trump, their residents would be a lot safer,” she said.
The White House has attributed the bruising to Trump’s “frequent handshaking” and his use of aspirin, which press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in July is part of Trump’s “standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
The latest Trump assault came after Pritzker bemoaned the Trump administration’s threats to deploy troops in other cities beyond Washington, D.C.
“Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families,” he said in a statement over the weekend.
“We will continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect the people of Illinois.”
Pritzker has faced multiple weight jabs from Trump—who weighed 224 pounds at his last physical, according to the White House. Earlier this month, Trump referred to speculation that the Democrat firebrand could run for president in 2028, saying: “I notice he lost a little weight, so maybe he has a chance, you know?”
The Chicago billionaire attempted to get ahead of the insults back in May, during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel. The pair spitballed nicknames for Pritzker, coming up with J.B. Pizza, J.B. Back Ribs, Jay Biggie, J.B. the Hutt, J Pritzed His Pants, Pritz Crackers, Governor Big Shorts, and J.B. “The Refrigerator” Pritzker.
The Daily Beast has contacted Pritzker for comment.
