Battle of Words: You Call Me "Dementia," I'll Put You in Jail

Alzheimer's, this harsh word was once a frequent term Trump used to mock Biden. Now the tables have turned, and the boomerang has finally hit Trump.

Recently, Trump decided to deploy the National Guard to multiple areas across the United States, which triggered strong opposition from several state governments. After announcing the deployment of the National Guard to Chicago, the Illinois government and the Chicago government filed a lawsuit against the federal government. Illinois Governor Pritzker also started a verbal battle with Trump.

On October 7, Pritzker told a phone interview with the Chicago Tribune: "He (Trump) is a person with dementia, something is stuck in his mind that he can't get rid of. He doesn't read, and he knows nothing about the latest developments. It's just some thought deep in his mind that is driving him to name these cities."

Pritzker also said, "Unfortunately, he holds military power and the power of the federal government to carry out his orders, which is what he is doing now."

In response, Trump immediately retaliated. On October 8, Trump posted on the social media platform "Truth Social," accusing Democratic Mayor Johnson of Chicago and Illinois Governor Pritzker, calling them "should go to jail."

Pritzker then responded to Trump on social media, saying, "I won't back down. Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives who check his power. What else is left in the United States on the road to full authoritarianism?"

Screenshot of Pritzker's tweet.

He also accused Trump's masked agents of going onto the streets to arrest people, separating children from their parents, creating panic, and even arresting people based on their appearance.

Later, Pritzker posted several tweets, stating that Trump violated the Constitution, showed off military force, and aimed at the 2026 election, implementing militarization in cities. He also strongly addressed Trump: "If you come for my people, you have to go through me."

Grudges: A Confrontation Between Two Billionaires

Like California Governor Newsom, the conflict between Illinois Governor Pritzker and Trump has been long-standing.

At 60 years old, Pritzker is an heir to the Hyatt Hotel Group. According to Forbes, his net worth is $3.6 billion (approximately RMB 25.6 billion).

Because Pritzker, like Newsom, has a billionaire politician image, people often compare the two. Media reports indicate that for years, Trump and Pritzker have not only competed in wealth but also have been confrontational throughout their political careers.

In recent years, they have often openly engaged in verbal battles. Pritzker has repeatedly called Trump a "racist," and because Trump claimed to be an expert on economic issues and very wealthy, Pritzker criticized Trump by saying, "From the perspective of a real billionaire, Trump is rich only in one thing: 'stupidity.'"

Trump also didn't hold back from Pritzker. Trump once accused Pritzker of "always complaining" and said the governor "was performing poorly." Recently, Trump blamed Pritzker for being "weak and pitiful" regarding the serious shootings in Chicago, Illinois.

Notably, Pritzker is considered a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, although he has emphasized "currently focusing on Illinois affairs." However, the public believes he is carefully building his political image. The Guardian pointed out that his campaign video deliberately uses a deep red background and determined eye contact, replicating Biden's 2020 campaign visual style; "Politico" reported that his team has secretly recruited experienced advisors from Iowa (the first primary state). Currently, on the list of potential Democratic presidential candidates, Pritzker, California Governor Newsom, and Michigan Governor Whitmer are among the top contenders.

Struggle:

This time, Trump is targeting more than just Pritzker

On October 7, Texas National Guard members arrived at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, outside of Chicago.

Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the third-largest city in the United States. Trump criticized Chicago in early September, calling it the "worst and most dangerous" city in the world and saying he would deploy the National Guard there to combat crime.

But this isn't the first time Trump has sent troops to various states. Since taking office, Trump has either deployed or threatened to send troops to multiple cities led by Democrats, including Washington D.C., Los Angeles in California, Baltimore in Maryland, and Memphis in Tennessee.

Trump's targeting of these Democratic "strongholds" has raised doubts among the public, suggesting it may be politically motivated, part of Trump's political maneuvering before the 2026 midterm elections.

On one hand, Trump believes that using such a tough approach can demonstrate his "law and order" governance philosophy, showing voters his determination to combat crime and maintain social stability, especially before the 2026 midterm elections, trying to consolidate his base and attract voters concerned about crime issues.

On the other hand, Trump has always targeted "blue states," aiming to prove his governance methods are more effective, thus suppressing the Democrats.

Trump's series of actions have undoubtedly further intensified the conflict between the two parties in the United States. The differences between the two parties over the division of power between the federal and state governments, and the use of military power, are becoming increasingly significant. Analysts believe that Trump's confrontation with the Democratic state governments has gone beyond verbal exchanges and has extended to clashes over military power and the judicial system.

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the struggle between the two parties over this issue will become even more intense. This struggle is no longer just a matter of public security, but also relates to the future political landscape and power balance in the United States.

Author: Liu Ying

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7559180811916837410/

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