Illinois Governor Pritzker Mocks Trump with Hilarious Lake Michigan Rename

In a lighthearted yet pointed move, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently took a satirical jab at former President Donald Trump. This came in response to Trump’s attempts to rename the Gulf of Mexico and annex Greenland. Pritzker’s comedic video showcased his proposal to rename Lake Michigan to ‘Lake Illinois,’ effectively providing a playful critique of Trump’s executive actions.

The Comedy Skit

Pritzker’s video, released last Friday, featured a well-timed backdrop of fake camera shutter sounds. With a straight face, he declared his intention to rename Lake Michigan as part of a proclamation that he playfully stated was sent to Google for map updates. His remarks highlighted Trump’s executive order that had previously altered the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.

Quoting Pritzker

During the video, Pritzker explained, “The world’s finest geographers, experts who study the Earth’s natural environment, have concluded in a decades-long council that a great lake deserves to be named after a great state.” This statement encapsulated the humor of Pritzker’s actions, as he emphasized the absurdity of renaming geographical features.

Trump’s Executive Actions

On his first day back in office, Trump signed Executive Order 14172, which not only renamed the Gulf of Mexico but also reverted the highest peak in North America back to ‘Mount McKinley.’ This restoration reversed the decision made in 2015 to honor the mountain’s indigenous name, Denali.

Google has communicated that it will implement Trump’s changes once the Department of the Interior updates the Geographic Names Information System. Despite the executive order, Google Maps currently continues to recognize the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico.

Pritzker’s Green Bay Claim

In his comedic performance, Pritzker further poked fun at Trump’s assertion regarding Greenland by humorously pledging to annex Green Bay, Wisconsin. He stated, “In addition, the recent announcement that to protect the homeland, the United States will be purchasing Greenland… Illinois will now be annexing Green Bay to protect itself against enemies, foreign and domestic.” This remark was not only a jab at Trump’s rhetoric but also showcased Pritzker’s sharp wit.

A Nod to Local Rivalry

In a nod to local sports culture, he concluded the video with a playful message: “God bless America and bear down,” a phrase familiar to fans of the Chicago Bears—a team that has a fierce rivalry with the Green Bay Packers.

Background Context

This video comes on the heels of a significant lawsuit filed by the Justice Department against Illinois and Chicago, accusing them of undermining federal immigration enforcement through their sanctuary policies. The lawsuit alleges that such local laws contravene the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Moreover, Pritzker and Trump have clashed over numerous issues, including an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. Pritzker was vocal in denouncing this move, calling it unconstitutional.

The Larger Picture

Trump’s order, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” argues that the 14th Amendment does not guarantee citizenship for individuals born in the United States. Beyond geographical disputes, this political rift reveals deeper divisions over national identity and immigration policy.

The tension between Pritzker and Trump has been ongoing, with past disputes highlighting difficulties Pritzker faced in obtaining personal protective equipment for Illinois during the pandemic. He reported that the state received only a fraction of its requests from the federal government.

A Playful Political Moment

Governor Pritzker’s amusing take on Trump’s antics serves to remind the public of the often absurd nature of political dialogue. His clever video juxtaposes humor with serious political issues, allowing a moment of levity amidst ongoing debates regarding geography, governance, and identity.