Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is drawing online reactions after posting a video on X claiming that Donald Trump and Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey are obsessed with him. In the clip, the governor says he is focused on everyday Illinoisans, highlights state policies, and directs viewers to a site critical of Bailey. Commenters and Bailey responded by noting Pritzker’s frequent references to Trump and describing the claim as projection.
In the clip, Pritzker speaks directly to the camera in an office setting and opens with “Well hello there,” followed by “I’ll come right out and say it.” On-screen text states “TRUMP IS OBSESSED WITH ME.” The video intercuts with footage of Donald Trump saying “Pritzker” and referring to him as “the worst of the country.” Pritzker continues, “I’m focused on everyday Illinoisans,” then says, “because of Donald Trump’s inflation,” and “That’s why I created a child tax credit worth up to $600 per family.”
Additional graphics reference news coverage of the child tax credit and laws targeting junk fees, ticket resale practices, and related issues: “when you pay for concert tickets or the restaurant check.” He later refers to Darren Bailey with the line, “and he’s still the same extremist,” directs viewers to “Go to DangerousDarrenBailey.com,” and closes with “Thanks for joining us.”
The post text states, “Donald Trump and Darren Bailey are obsessed with me.” The video presents a campaign-style message highlighting Pritzker’s record while criticizing his opponents. The full context of the Trump clip and any preceding events is not shown in the footage.
Commenters React to the Illinois Governor’s X Clip
Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey replied, “If JB can’t talk about Donald Trump, he has nothing to talk about.”
One commenter posted data stating, “Pritzker mentioned Trump 55 times since July 17. Trump mentioned ‘the governor of Illinois’ once in the same timeframe.”
Others described the claim as projection, with one writing that Pritzker’s response “sounds like a teenage girl talking about boys in the school cafeteria” and adding, “Grow up, Governor,” while noting Illinois’ taxes and bond rating.
Additional replies pointed to the frequency of Pritzker’s own mentions of Trump and called the video an example of deflection, with one user writing, “Look at your own X timeline; all you do is talk about Trump. Have some self-freaking awareness.”
The video adds one more exchange to the ongoing online conversation in the Illinois governor’s race. Both sides continue to trade messages as the campaign unfolds.
