Illinois Governor JB Pritzker made headlines during his appearance on ABC's The View on February 28, 2025, as he issued stark warnings concerning the erosion of democratic rights under President Donald Trump. His impassioned remarks drew parallels to the early days of Nazi Germany, warning viewers of potential dangers facing the United States today.
During the segment, Pritzker stated, "It’s been 38 days since the president took over, and he has slowly, steadily... actually, relatively quickly, I guess I should say... but every day eroded your rights, and everything he has done has been tearing down constitutional democracy, and that's what happened in Nazi Germany. And I’m not saying we’re heading all the way down... but I am saying... it should be a red alert.” His comments highlighted the urgency of recognizing threats to democracy.
Co-host Joy Behar sought clarification from Pritzker on his troubling remarks, prompting him to stress the importance of vigilance among citizens. Pritzker emphasized, "When the five-alarm fire starts to burn, every good person had it be ready to man a post with a bucket of water if you want to stop it from raging out of control." He urged Americans to awaken to the signs of political deterioration.
The Governor also took aim at the recently passed House Republican budget, warning of severe consequences for millions of Americans, particularly through cuts to Medicaid. He stated, "They’re going to take away Medicaid from millions and millions of people... 770,000 people will lose healthcare, and those are the people who need it the most." This chilling statement underscored the impact proposed budget cuts would have on vulnerable populations.
Pritzker asserted, "Donald Trump, on the campaign trail, and even now, says ‘Oh, I’m not going to take away Medicaid.’ Meanwhile, he blessed the House plan..." His comments highlight the disparity between Trump's statements and the reality of proposed legislative actions, which Pritzker argued could jeopardize healthcare for many.
Beyond the political discourse, Pritzker's financial status humorously emerged as a talking point when Behar directly confirmed, "You are a billionaire, are you not?" The jovial exchange, initially stemming from discussions around wealth, brought levity to the serious issues at hand. Pritzker responded with good humor about the awkwardness of confirming his billionaire status on air, recalling how his presence at the Democratic convention had humorously contrasted with Bernie Sanders' critique of the wealthy.
Reflecting on his rising profile within national politics, Pritzker has emerged as one of the Democrats’ most vocal opponents of Trump. This, coupled with recent speculation about his potential run for the presidency, adds weight to his commentary. Pritzker, who was considered as Kamala Harris' running mate for the 2024 election, has increased his visibility through multiple national interviews since Trump's inauguration.
During the same episode, Pritzker also addressed the need for accountability concerning $1.88 billion in federal funds withheld from Illinois. Together with members of congress, he wrote to the White House Office of Management and Budget calling for necessary action, emphasizing the urgent need for federal assistance.
With talk of future elections and the state of healthcare funding on the table, Pritzker's appearance on The View underscored the pivotal role state leaders play within the national political conversation. His comparisons to history, combined with his noteworthy status as both a governor and billionaire, position him distinctly on the political stage as he navigates the tumultuous waters of current governance.
Overall, Governor Pritzker's appearance not only sparked discussion about urgent political issues but also served to highlight the intersection of wealth and social responsibility among public figures. His strong warnings about Trump’s policies and their potential consequences for democracy serve as both dire alerts and calls to action for citizens.