‘Bully’ Donald Trump has been delibrately insulting himself by throwing around ‘fifth grade’ attacks

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and President Donald Trump have entered into a heated exchange of personal attacks as tensions rise over Trump’s plans to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago. The dispute has escalated beyond policy disagreements into personal insults about weight and character.

Trump made comments about Pritzker’s weight during an Oval Office session on Monday, saying the Illinois governor “ought to spend more time in the gym, actually.” This marks the latest in a pattern of personal attacks from Trump, who previously said during a 2024 campaign rally that Pritzker was “too busy eating” to lead his state.

As reported by The Guardian, Pritzker fired back strongly, calling Trump’s personal attacks evidence of “a guy who’s still living in fifth grade.” The Democratic governor didn’t hold back in his response, saying, “It takes one to know one on the weight question. And the president, of course, himself, is not in good shape. So, he ought to respond to that from me.” He added that Trump “is the kind of bully that throws invectives at people, because he knows that what he’s saying is actually commentary on himself.”

Trump’s history of personal attacks draws criticism

The president has made a habit of targeting political opponents with comments about their physical appearance. His attacks on Pritzker follow a similar pattern to insults he has directed at other public figures in the past, including comedian Rosie O’Donnell and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

At 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 224 pounds, according to his April physical, Trump has frequently made weight-related comments about others despite facing his own health questions. The president’s recent appearances have sparked discussion about his physical condition, with some observers noting visible changes in his appearance.

Pritzker suggested that Trump might not even see his response, telling reporters that the president “does not read and only watches television.” He called upon Fox News or Newsmax to relay his comments to Trump, highlighting what he sees as the president’s limited information sources.

The personal attacks come as Trump considers deploying National Guard troops to Chicago as part of his broader crime crackdown efforts. The president has already sent federal forces to Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, and Pentagon officials have been planning a Chicago deployment that could involve thousands of National Guard members.

Chicago has seen significant improvements in crime statistics, with homicides down 32% in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024. The city recorded 573 murders in 2024, the lowest number since 2019, and current trends suggest 2025 could see even fewer homicides. Despite these improvements, Trump has maintained his focus on portraying major cities as crime-ridden, often using them as examples in his policy arguments.

Pritzker has strongly opposed the potential deployment, saying, “Do not come to Chicago, you are neither wanted here nor needed here.” The governor has accused Trump of attempting to “manufacture a crisis” and “abuse his power” to distract from other issues. Illinois officials argue they have received no federal requests for assistance and have made no requests for federal intervention.