President Donald Trump faced widespread ridicule this week after making comments about Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s weight, despite Trump himself weighing 224 pounds and dealing with visible health issues including swollen ankles and hand bruising. The exchange occurred on Monday, August 25, 2025, during Trump’s announcement of plans to expand his crime crackdown beyond Washington, D.C.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump criticized Pritzker’s opposition to deploying federal troops in Chicago, stating the governor “ought to spend more time at the gym, actually.” This marked the latest in a series of personal attacks Trump has directed at Pritzker, who has been mentioned as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate.
Pritzker responded quickly to Trump’s comments during a Monday appearance, indicating that it takes one to know one on weight questions and noting that the president himself is not in good shape. The Illinois governor suggested Trump should respond to that criticism and characterized the president’s personal attacks as evidence of someone still living in fifth grade, comparing him to a bully who throws insults because he knows his comments are actually commentary on himself.
The exchange highlighted ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s physical condition. According to his most recent physical examination in April 2025, Trump was recorded as six feet three inches tall and weighing 224 pounds. However, these figures have fluctuated significantly over time. In April 2023, when charged with felony counts in New York, his booking documents listed him at six feet two inches and 240 pounds. Three months later, during his surrender at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, he was recorded at six feet three inches and 215 pounds.
Trump’s health issues have become increasingly visible, particularly his swollen ankles and mysteriously bruised hands. The White House confirmed in July that Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition common in individuals over 70 where weakening vein valves prevent proper blood circulation in the legs, causing ankle swelling.
Media observers have noted apparent efforts by the White House to conceal Trump’s physical issues. During Trump’s meeting with European leaders on Monday, he sat behind the Resolute Desk rather than in the traditional chairs in front of the fireplace. MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell pointed out that presidents rarely conduct such meetings from behind the desk, suggesting Trump was hiding his swollen ankles from view.
Official White House photographs have also appeared strategically composed to obscure Trump’s ankle area. During his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the administration posted a photo where a model of Air Force One conveniently blocked Trump’s ankles from view, while other shots from wire photographers clearly showed the swelling.
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined the criticism during a Democratic National Convention summer meeting in Minneapolis on Monday, calling Trump a “manchild” with “fat ankles.” Walz suggested that Trump’s condition represented broader health concerns and called on Democrats to unite against what he characterized as Trump’s authoritarian policies.
Even some Trump supporters have expressed concern. Infowars host Alex Jones warned that Trump faces a health crisis if he doesn’t reduce his workload, suggesting the president could experience some sort of collapse within 12 months if he continues at his current pace. Jones specifically referenced Trump’s chronic venous insufficiency and noted that the swelling was becoming more pronounced.
The White House has attempted to explain Trump’s visible bruising by attributing it to excessive handshaking and his use of aspirin as part of a cardiovascular prevention regimen. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously stated that the bruising was related to Trump’s frequent handshaking, though bruises have now appeared on both hands.
Dr. David Shokrian, a plastic surgeon with Millennial Plastic Surgery in New York, explained that Trump’s diagnosis can indeed cause ankle swelling. He indicated that the combination of Trump’s weight, diet, lack of cardiovascular exercise, and stress are likely contributing factors to the condition.
Trump’s former physician, Representative Ronny Jackson, defended the president’s health status, stating that Trump is the healthiest president the nation has ever seen and remains mentally and physically sharper than ever. However, Jackson’s statement did not specifically address the visible swelling and bruising that has drawn increasing attention.
Pritzker has previously attempted to get ahead of Trump’s weight-based attacks, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live in May to joke about potential nicknames Trump might use, including “J.B. Pizza” and “J.B. the Refrigerator.” The Chicago billionaire has occasionally incorporated his weight into political messaging, using slogans like “Think Big” for campaigns.
The back-and-forth between Trump and Pritzker occurred as the administration threatens to expand its Washington, D.C. crime crackdown to other Democratic-run cities including Chicago, Baltimore, and New York. Pritzker has criticized these plans as an attempt to manufacture a crisis and abuse presidential power while distracting from economic challenges facing working families.
