President Donald Trump is facing criticism from within his own family after announcing plans for a federal takeover of Chicago. His niece, Mary Trump, accused him of using the move as a distraction from questions about his health and other controversies. Mary Trump made her remarks on her YouTube channel, where she frequently criticizes her uncle.
“Well, as always, it has to do with trying to distract us from the Epstein scandal, his failing health, the economy he single-handedly is tanking, and all of his other failures, which are so numerous, I don’t have time to mention all of them. We cannot afford to keep having taxpayer money wasted in this way,” she said.
The comments came shortly after the president declared he would act with or without state approval. “If the governor of Illinois were to call me up, I would love to do it. Now we’re going to do it anyway. We have the right to do it because I have an obligation to protect this country, and that includes Baltimore,” Trump said during Oval Office remarks on Tuesday.
Speculation about the president’s health has grown in recent weeks, fueled by his reduced public appearances. At his first event in a week, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy jokingly asked, “How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead? Did you see that?” Trump responded that he had not been aware of the rumors but knew there were questions about his condition.
“I knew they were saying, like: ‘Is he OK? How is he feeling? What’s wrong?” Trump said, dismissing the concerns as “fake news” and insisting he “was very active over the weekend.” Still, his physical appearance has sparked questions.
Bruising has been visible on the back of his right hand, sometimes covered with makeup, along with swelling around his ankles. The White House said Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where veins in the legs fail to return blood efficiently to the heart.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt added that bruising came from “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” which Trump takes to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Trump recently deployed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., but the Chicago plan is expected to look different. According to officials, it will not involve military forces but will instead focus on immigration enforcement.
Illinois and Chicago, both known for their strong sanctuary policies, have long clashed with Trump’s push for mass deportations. His latest proposal is likely to intensify that battle while keeping questions about his health in the spotlight.