President Donald Trump criticized Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s fitness during an Oval Office appearance on Monday, August 25, 2025, telling reporters that Pritzker “ought to spend more time at the gym” as tensions escalated over the administration’s deployment of federal troops to Democratic-run cities.
The president’s comments came as his crime crackdown in Washington entered its third week, with National Guard troops now being armed as they patrol the streets alongside police, FBI agents, and other federal law enforcement officials. Trump has expanded his focus to other Democratic-controlled cities, including Baltimore, New York, and Chicago, drawing sharp criticism from local officials.
Pritzker had accused the president of manufacturing a crisis to abuse his power, stating in a weekend statement that Trump was attempting to politicize Americans in uniform while causing pain to working families. The governor indicated he would continue following the law and protecting Illinois residents’ sovereignty.
The exchange highlighted ongoing health scrutiny surrounding both political figures. Trump’s own physical condition has drawn increased attention, with AP News reporting his diagnosis with chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in adults over 70 where veins struggle to return blood to the heart.
Medical records show Trump weighs 224 pounds and stands six feet three inches tall, according to his April physical examination. However, these figures have fluctuated significantly over time. During his April 2023 New York booking, documents listed him at six feet two inches and 240 pounds. Three months later at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, records showed him at six feet three inches and 215 pounds.
The 79-year-old president has been photographed with visibly swollen ankles, particularly during his recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, 2025. White House physicians attribute the swelling to chronic venous insufficiency, while bruising on his hands has been explained as resulting from aspirin use and frequent handshaking.
Reports indicate Trump has increasingly avoided events requiring prolonged standing, preferring Oval Office meetings over larger venues like the East Room. A source familiar with White House event planning told The Daily Beast that the president’s scheduling preference stems partly from superior acoustics and partly to minimize time spent on his feet.
The president disappeared from public view for four days last week, sparking online speculation about his health that reached trending status on social media platforms. Rumors became widespread enough that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz referenced them during a Democratic National Convention summer meeting on Monday, calling Trump a “manchild” with “fat ankles.”
Television personalities have also weighed in on Trump’s apparent health issues. MSNBC’s Joy Reid described the president as having ankles “swollen to the size of elephant legs” during a Tuesday interview, criticizing mainstream media for not addressing obvious health concerns about the oldest serving president in U.S. history.
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel mocked White House attempts to cover Trump’s hand bruises with makeup, noting the sloppy application and joking about the chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis. The comedian highlighted Trump’s “big fat elephant ankles” during his Tuesday monologue.
This marks the second time Trump has publicly criticized Pritzker’s weight. Earlier in August, the president suggested the Illinois governor might have presidential ambitions for 2028, noting that Pritzker had lost weight. The governor responded on social media, thanking Trump for the compliment while questioning his authority over Chicago and asking about unreleased Epstein files.
Pritzker has previously used self-deprecating humor about his weight in political campaigns, occasionally adopting the slogan “Think Big” and appearing on Jimmy Kimmel’s show, where he recited potential nicknames for Trump to use against him, including “JB Pizza” and “Governor Big Shorts.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has repeatedly deflected questions about Trump’s health, stating that reporters see the president daily and that he continues working without lifestyle adjustments. When asked about making the White House physician available for questions, Leavitt indicated she would look into the possibility but has not scheduled such a briefing.
The health speculation intensified after Trump’s Alaska meeting with Putin, where photographs clearly showed his swollen ankles during the three-hour diplomatic session. The summit included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, though concrete results regarding Ukraine peace negotiations remain unclear.
Social media users responded to Trump’s gym advice for Pritzker with their own criticism, posting unflattering photos of the president playing golf and eating fast food. The exchange underscores the ongoing political tensions as Trump expands federal intervention in Democratic-controlled cities while facing questions about his own physical fitness for the demanding role of president.
