Chicago Billionaire Democrat Tells Americans to “Make Noise” Against Trump—White House Calls It Dangerous
In a controversial late-night interview, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) lashed out at President Donald Trump, labeling him an “authoritarian” and pushing for nationwide protests—sparking backlash from the Trump administration over what officials called “incitement to violence.”
Appearing on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! Thursday night, Pritzker, a billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, told viewers:
“We’ve got an authoritarian in office… and nobody’s stopping him.”
He then accused Congress of enabling Trump’s leadership, saying, “They’re all paying homage to him. No one’s willing to break with him.”
Pritzker to Democrats: “No Peace for Republicans”
Just days earlier, at a high-profile Democrat fundraiser in New Hampshire, Pritzker escalated his rhetoric, calling on liberal activists to target Republicans with relentless opposition:
“These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,” he declared. “We must fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone we have… and punish them at the ballot box.”
This prompted immediate concern from senior Trump officials. White House adviser Stephen Miller slammed the comments as “irresponsible” and warned they could fuel threats to public officials and conservative voters.
“This is the kind of language that puts lives in danger,” Miller said. “We’ve already seen assassination attempts against President Trump. Democrats like Pritzker should be more careful with their words.”
Trump Fires Back: “Too Busy Eating to Govern”
President Trump, known for his quick wit on the campaign trail, didn’t hold back. He mocked Pritzker’s leadership and lifestyle, telling a crowd in Ohio:
“He wants to eat all the time. Too busy eating to run Illinois.”
The jab drew loud laughter from the crowd. Trump has frequently criticized Democrat governors for prioritizing political theater over real leadership, especially during times of crisis.
Pritzker Shrugs Off Taunts, Doubles Down on Resistance
Despite the backlash, Pritzker stood by his comments during the Kimmel interview, urging more street-level protest and public displays of “resistance”:
“The only way to stop Trump’s agenda is to get loud, show up, and let them know we’re not going away.”
He recounted his first meeting with President Trump in 2018, shortly after being elected governor. Although he had campaigned heavily against Trump—accusing him of being “racist” and “xenophobic”—Pritzker said the president was “oddly friendly” at the time.
A Dangerous Divide: Rhetoric Heats Up Ahead of 2024
Pritzker’s recent comments underscore what many see as a growing and dangerous divide in American politics. While Trump focuses on lower taxes, stronger borders, and restoring economic strength, Democrat leaders like Pritzker appear more focused on stirring unrest and demonizing conservative voters.
As the nation heads into the heart of the 2024 campaign season, tensions are rising—and the contrast between leadership styles has never been clearer.