Trump Trolls Illinois Politicians and Critics with Iconic War Film Image
Share this @internewscast.com

President Donald Trump referenced one of cinema’s most legendary battle scenes in a meme on Saturday, leaving Democrats in shock.

On Truth Social, Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself taking on the role played by actor Robert Duvall in the 1979 film Apocalypse Now. He retitled it “Chipocalypse Now” and captioned it with, “I love the smell of deportations in the morning. Chicago is about to learn why it’s called the Department of WAR.”

WATCH — Is Chicago NEXT?! Trump Calls City “Hell Hole”:

This is in line with the president’s rebranding of the Department of Defense and an anticipated enforcement on illegal immigration in Chicago, which serves as the backdrop in the image.

Trump’s statement mirrors Duvall’s iconic dialogue during his unit’s helicopter raid in the Vietnam War: “I love the smell of napalm in the morning. It smells like victory.”

The post brought a predictable response from Democrats and media critics.

The Drudge Report, no longer a conservative media aggregator, led with the image and the headline: “Trump Unhinged.”

Democrat Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Saturday called Trump’s post “not normal.”

“The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal,” Pritzker posted on X. “Donald Trump isn’t a strongman, he’s a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.”

Trump’s recent mockery of Illinois and Chicago leaders follows their outspoken objections and threats against an expected immigration crackdown in the nation’s third-largest city, along with the potential use of troops in the initiative.

As – News reported Friday, equipment and federal personnel have been arriving at Naval Station Great Lakes, on the shores of Lake Michigan north of Chicago, in preparation for the operation.

Pritzker has promised a lawsuit if military personnel are involved. And while critics are blasting Trump for the use of a violent war image, Chicago’s own Mayor Brandon Johnson has provocatively urged Chicagoans to “rise up” in violence against federal law enforcement officers.

The Trump administration has also reserved the option to dispatch the National Guard, as it did in Los Angeles, if there is a violent reaction to the immigration roundup.

WATCH — Trump: Los Angeles Would Be ‘Burning to the Ground’ Without National Guard:

The president has also proposed that Chicago’s crime problem — which includes hundreds of shootings and homicides each year, mostly on the south side — could be dramatically reduced by a local law enforcement effort aided by the National Guard, similar to the effort in past weeks in Washington, DC.

When asked last Tuesday about sending National Guard troops into the city, Trump said, “We’re going,” but quickly added, “I didn’t say when. We’re going in.”

Johnson, despite his own threats of citizen violence against the Trump crackdown, appeared to try to take a higher road as he posted on X.

“The President’s threats are beneath the honor of our nation, but the reality is that he wants to occupy our city and break our Constitution,” he said. “We must defend our democracy from this authoritarianism by protecting each other and protecting Chicago from Donald Trump.”

Even California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) had to get in on the pile on, posting on X, “The President of the United States is deploying the military onto US streets and using our troops like political pawns. DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BECOME NUMB TO THIS.”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called the president a “draft dodger.”

Political commentator turned long-time Trump critic Bill Kristol simply wrote, “Fascism.”

Former Obama strategist David Axelrod wrote, “He’s TRYING to provoke a confrontation. Don’t take the bait, Chicagoans.”

Those critics. and many others, all reposted the “Chipocalypse” image. If the president’s aim was to have the image go viral on social media, his detractors may have given him a helping hand.

Contributor Lowell Cauffiel is the author of the New York Times best seller House of Secrets and nine other crime novels and nonfiction titles. See lowellcauffiel.com for more

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Trump’s New Beef with Ranchers: A Call to Slash Soaring Meat Prices

Donald Trump has launched a critique against cattle ranchers, urging them to…

Mother of Chess Prodigy Speaks Out Following Son’s Mysterious Death at 29

The bereaved mother of chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky has opened up about…

Rabbis Unite to Criticize NYC Mayoral Nominee Mamdani’s Stance on Israel

Nearly 800 rabbis from across the nation released an open letter Wednesday…

California Mother Surfaces in Vehicle Rental Attempt Amid Urgent Deadline for Missing 9-Year-Old’s Whereabouts

In a peculiar turn of events, Ashlee Buzzard, the mother of missing…

FBI Offers $500K Reward for Information on Pipe Bomb Suspect Near DNC and RNC

The FBI has announced a significant reward for information that could lead…

U.S. Auto Repossessions Surge to Highest Levels Since 2008

The United States is experiencing an alarming rise in car repossessions as…

Revolutionizing Music: Apple iPod’s Iconic Debut on October 23 Transforms Listening Experience

Today is Thursday, October 23, 2025, marking the 296th day of the…

Nurse Tearfully Confronted by Transgender Colleague’s Inquiry on Changing Schedule

A nurse has recounted an emotional ordeal during a pivotal employment tribunal,…

Boxer Caught Smiling as Opponent Concedes in Controversial Gender Debate Match

During a dramatic moment at the National Games, Lin Yu-ting, a renowned…

Three Inmates Detained for Alleged Death Threats Against Nicolas Sarkozy in Prison

Three inmates have been apprehended for allegedly threatening to assassinate former French…

Tragic Plea of Young French Girl, 12, Before Her Untimely Death

An unimaginable tragedy unfolded in France, where a young girl pleaded for…

Two Additional Arrests Made in Connection with Brutal Assault on ‘Big Balls’ in Washington, DC

In Washington, law enforcement has apprehended two more teenagers in connection with…