Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) has stated that he believes President Donald Trump is experiencing cognitive issues, and that his condition is deteriorating. In an interview with Politico, Pritzker said, “I think the man has dementia,” while gesturing to his head, adding, “I don’t really understand how it works up there for him.”
Pritzker's Observations on Trump's Cognitive State
Pritzker, who became governor in 2019, had dealings with Trump during his first term, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although he has not interacted directly with Trump since the president returned to the White House, Pritzker noted a clear difference. “Oh my goodness, this time it’s much more pronounced,” he said. “And, from day one, during the campaign, I think I felt that.”
In a video shared by journalist Aaron Rupar, Pritzker elaborated: “I think it’s kind of a sad state of affairs because someone who’s suffering from dementia — they genuinely need help, and there’s no one around him who wants to help him. All those people are just sycophants. They just love their jobs. They don’t want to get fired from their jobs. They know that at any moment, he could just flick them away.”
Political Context and Feud with Trump
Pritzker, widely seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2028, frequently engages in verbal sparring with Trump. The president often mocks Pritzker’s weight. “He doesn’t seem to like me,” Pritzker told Politico. “He mentions me very often and sometimes, completely out of the blue. He’s not talking about Illinois, he’s not talking about Chicago. Somehow, I pop up in his head, and he wants to take after me.”
Trump's Response to Cognitive Concerns
Trump has been particularly sensitive to accusations of cognitive decline, often bringing up the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which screens for early signs of impairment and dementia. “I’ve taken three,” he boasted recently. “No president, think of this, has ever taken one.” He also insisted he “aced all of them.” Despite his claims, critics remain unconvinced. Other Democratic figures, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, and Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), have questioned Trump’s cognitive function. Additionally, at least two members of Trump’s previous administration have indicated that the president appears to be in decline.
