Trump Responds Strongly to Questions on ‘War with Chicago’ Meme

President Donald Trump sharply rejected claims on Thursday that he was “trying to go to war with Chicago” after a controversial meme depicting the city in flames circulated online. The meme referenced Trump’s recent executive order renaming the Pentagon back to the “Department of War.”

As Trump left the White House for the U.S. Open, NBC correspondent Yamiche Alcindor asked if the meme signaled a military-style approach to Chicago’s crime problems. Trump fired back, calling the suggestion “fake news” and telling the reporter to “be quiet” and listen. He insisted his goal was to “clean up our cities” to prevent weekend shootings, describing his approach as “common sense,” not war.

When questioned why Chicago was targeted despite other cities having higher crime rates, Trump cited recent weekend statistics: eight killed and seventy-four wounded in Chicago alone.

For weeks, Trump has hinted at deploying the National Guard to Chicago, criticizing what he calls the city’s “lawlessness.” His administration recently took direct control of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., citing failed local leadership.

Critics warn that federal intervention could escalate tensions and undermine local authority. Yet Trump remains firm, using crime in Democratic-led cities as a key part of his messaging and justification for stronger federal action.

Whether federal troops will actually be deployed in Chicago remains uncertain, but Trump’s focus on the city’s violence is unwavering.