Following President-elect Donald Trump’s recent victory in a defamation case against ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos, some of Trump’s allies are now urging him to take legal action against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted on corruption charges and later pardoned by Trump during his first term, tweeted:
“Now that Trump won his defamation case for being called a ‘rapist,’ when will he sue Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for making similar accusations?”
Blagojevich’s tweet quickly gained attention among Trump supporters, with many urging Trump to pursue the lawsuit. One supporter tweeted, Trump should sue everyone who defamed him and donate the money to good causes. Another called for an investigation into Pritzker, claiming, “He’s a crook and should be held accountable for lying to the American people.
Even Trump ally Roger Stone, known for his controversial political moves, shared the story on social media.
The controversy stems from comments Pritzker made while campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris in June. During his speech, Pritzker referred to Trump as an adjudicated rapist and a congenital liar, also calling him a racist and sexist who uses his position to benefit himself and retaliate against critics.
However, legal experts note that Pritzker’s statements are protected under political free speech, which doesn’t apply to Stephanopoulos’s case. Additionally, Pritzker’s substantial wealth—estimated at $3.7 billion from his family’s Hyatt hotel fortune—would make him a formidable legal opponent.
Pritzker, a Democrat, became governor in 2019 after defeating Republican Bruce Rauner.