JB Pritzker rips Trump as ‘authoritarian,’ responds to president calling out his weight

Fox News - May 3rd, 2025
Open on Fox News

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, made waves during an appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' by labeling President Donald Trump as an 'authoritarian' leader. Pritzker criticized Trump for being a major threat to American families and urged the Democratic Party to stand up against the Trump agenda. During the interview, Pritzker emphasized the importance of mass protests and mobilization to counteract Republican policies, which he claims are detrimental to the welfare of millions. Despite shutting down rumors of a presidential run, Pritzker's appearance and recent speech in New Hampshire, a state known for its significant role in presidential primaries, have fueled speculation about his national political ambitions.

Pritzker's criticism of Trump comes amidst a broader political context where the former president continues to wield significant influence over the Republican Party. The Illinois governor highlighted the lack of accountability within Congress, suggesting that many members are unwilling to oppose Trump despite controversial policies affecting healthcare and social security. This public confrontation with Trump, including a response to personal jabs at his weight, positions Pritzker as a vocal opponent of the former president's policies and rhetoric. As a billionaire and influential Democratic donor, Pritzker's actions could significantly impact the political landscape, potentially galvanizing Democratic efforts leading up to the midterms and beyond.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a largely accurate and timely account of Gov. JB Pritzker's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and his criticisms of President Trump. It effectively captures the key points of Pritzker's statements and offers insight into his potential political ambitions. However, the article could benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives by including responses from Trump's camp or supporters. Additionally, providing more background information and context would enhance the article's clarity and depth. Overall, the story is engaging and relevant to current political debates, but it could be strengthened by incorporating a wider range of viewpoints and additional context.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article accurately reports on Gov. JB Pritzker's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" where he made comments about President Donald Trump, calling him an "authoritarian" leader. The claims about Pritzker's criticism of Trump's leadership style and policies are consistent with his public statements during the interview. Additionally, the article mentions Pritzker's speech in New Hampshire, which aligns with his calls for mass protests against Trump's agenda. However, the story could benefit from more precise details about the context of Trump's weight-related jibes, which are mentioned but not fully substantiated in the text. Overall, the article's factual claims are verifiable and mostly accurate.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of Gov. JB Pritzker and his criticisms of President Trump, reflecting a critical stance towards the former president. While it includes Pritzker's viewpoints and his calls for action against Trump's policies, it lacks a balanced representation of opposing perspectives or any response from Trump's camp. The absence of Trump's or his supporters' viewpoints results in a one-sided narrative, which could be perceived as biased against Trump. Including a broader range of perspectives would enhance the article's balance and provide readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to understand, with a straightforward presentation of Gov. JB Pritzker's comments and criticisms of President Trump. The language is concise, and the structure follows a logical flow from Pritzker's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to his political ambitions and public statements. The tone remains neutral, focusing on reporting the facts of Pritzker's statements without sensationalism. However, the article could enhance clarity by providing more background information on the specific policies being criticized and the broader political context.

7
Source quality

The primary source for the article is Gov. JB Pritzker's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" which is a credible and direct source for his statements. The article also references Pritzker's speech in New Hampshire, which is a reliable source of his public statements. However, the article does not provide additional sources or expert opinions to corroborate the claims made by Pritzker or to provide context. The reliance on a single interview and speech limits the depth of source quality. Including more diverse sources would enhance the credibility and reliability of the reporting.

7
Transparency

The article provides clear attribution to Gov. JB Pritzker's statements and his appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" It transparently reports on the context in which Pritzker made his comments about President Trump. However, the article does not delve into the broader context of the political climate or the specific policies being criticized, which would provide readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. Additionally, the article could benefit from more transparency regarding the potential bias of the source, given the nature of late-night television as a platform for entertainment as well as political commentary.

Sources

  1. https://www.thedailybeast.com/jblt-pritzker-and-jimmy-kimmel-spitball-fat-jibes-trump-could-use-against-him/
  2. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJKIVRsxoth/
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwJcUh_N0QU
  4. https://www.nprillinois.org/government-politics/2025-05-02/gov-jb-pritzker-creates-nicknames-for-trump-to-call-him-including-jbeefy-in-jimmy-kimmel-appearance
  5. https://www.mediaite.com/tv/jb-pritzker-suggests-new-nickname-trump-can-use-to-mock-his-weight-thats-how-you-know-hes-afraid-of-you/