Every now and then, a political figure decides to punch up—and ends up punching himself in the face.
That’s more or less what happened when Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker tried to take a swing at Fox News’ Pete Hegseth this week, lobbing snide remarks over what was, by all accounts, a morale-boosting, record-setting event involving our military and the Guinness Book of World Records.
Hegseth, a combat veteran and long-time advocate for service members, was participating in a push-up challenge to raise spirits and honor troops. Enter Governor Pritzker, who, for reasons still unclear, thought this was the moment to flex his outrage. One might assume that, as a governor, he’d be a bit more focused on the rampant crime, budgetary bloat, or exodus of businesses from his own state. But no—his target of the day was push-ups.
Pete Hegseth was busy ignoring his job and doing pushups as part of a show for the Guinness Book of World Records while Illinoisans are being invaded by Trump’s military troops. https://t.co/4OpZHrmj8I
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) October 8, 2025
Yes, really.
And while Hegseth was pumping out reps, Pritzker was busy … tweeting snark? The contrast could not be clearer. One man was working to build up American morale. The other seemed determined to bring petty politics to an event that had zero to do with him.
Governor, you might try a pushup or two…
(In the meantime, our troops will do the job you refuse to do.) https://t.co/cRfftXbwd8
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 8, 2025
Naturally, the online response was swift—and brutal. People immediately began questioning whether this was about principles or just plain jealousy. After all, the image of Pritzker in a push-up contest isn’t exactly easy to conjure. And you’d be forgiven for wondering if the governor’s real issue is that the only record he might set is for most calories consumed at a ribbon-cutting.
Even funnier? The side-by-side comparisons that followed. One user asked whether anyone had ever seen the two men—Hegseth and Pritzker—in the same room at the same time. The implication, of course, being that they couldn’t possibly be from the same species, let alone the same country. It’s the kind of cheeky jab social media lives for—and exactly the kind of reaction you invite when you insert yourself where no one asked.
Mr. Secretary, with that post, he left you no other choice pic.twitter.com/EytpljXLJs
— Phil Holloway ✈️ (@PhilHollowayEsq) October 9, 2025
