Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) is not holding back when it comes to President Donald Trump's mental fitness. In a CNN interview Tuesday, Pritzker said he believes the president is showing signs of dementia, pointing to noticeable changes in his speech and behavior over the years.
Speaking with Kaitlan Collins, Pritzker was responding to Trump's recent comments about Democratic Socialists being a major national threat. "The man is continually suffering from dementia," Pritzker said. "I don't think he really understands what he's saying." He added, "I think he has these concepts in his head and he blurts them out without really thinking."
When pressed on whether he truly believed Trump had dementia, Pritzker replied, "I do," but quickly added, "I'm not a doctor. I haven't diagnosed anything." His opinion, he explained, comes from comparing Trump's public appearances from 2015–2016 with more recent speeches, arguing there's a clear difference in coherence and tone. He also criticized Trump's rhetoric toward political opponents, saying the president "regularly threatens to go after people" and uses government power in ways he views as politically motivated.
The White House was quick to push back. Spokesperson Davis Ingle called Pritzker "a slob and an incompetent governor who pushes blatantly false narratives like this in a desperate attempt to stay relevant," according to The Hill. Ingle defended Trump's "sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility" and stated that the "President's Health, Which Remains Exceptional," has been fully disclosed to the public.
This isn't the first time Trump's health has been in the spotlight recently. Earlier, a visible neck rash on the president sparked questions, with the White House saying he was using a medicated cream but declining to disclose the underlying condition. The White House also released details of a previously undisclosed MRI of Trump's heart and abdomen, calling the scans "perfectly normal" with no signs of cardiovascular issues and healthy organs.
Separately, Trump spoke about longevity during a public event, crediting genetics over diet and recalling comments from former White House physician Ronny Jackson, who allegedly praised his health compared to other presidents.
The debate over Trump's health is likely to continue, especially as the 2026 midterm elections approach. For now, the White House is standing firm, dismissing any suggestion that the president is not in top form.
