Illinois Governor JB Pritzker revealed in a recent interview that he has shed 80 pounds with the help of a GLP-1 medication, describing the weight loss as a personal milestone after a lifetime of struggling with his weight.
"I have been driven my whole life to lose weight," Pritzker said on Monday's edition of "CBS Mornings." "The fact that I am now able to do it because this GLP-1 became available is truly, like, I mean, it's something that has meant a lot to me."
The Democratic governor's comments come amid a surge in popularity for GLP-1 drugs, which include semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and dulaglutide (Trulicity). These medications mimic a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates insulin production and curbs appetite, making them highly effective for weight loss.
A Gallup poll released in July found that 11% of Americans were using a GLP-1 drug for weight loss, an 8-point jump from the previous year—a record high. The trend has sparked debates over access, cost, and the long-term health implications of these medications.
Pritzker's weight has been a recurring target for President Donald Trump, who has previously mocked the governor's appearance. In late August, Trump criticized Pritzker's physique, prompting a sharp retort from the governor.
"It takes one to know one, on the weight question," Pritzker said at the time. "And the president, of course, himself, is not in good shape. So, he ought to respond to that from me."
Trump has also accused Pritzker of being "too busy eating" to effectively govern Illinois, comments Pritzker dismissed as "evidence of a guy who's still living in fifth grade."
The political sparring over weight highlights the intersection of health, public image, and policy. As GLP-1 drugs become more widespread, they are also drawing scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. Recently, the FDA recalled certain weight-loss supplements containing undeclared ingredients, and a South Korean study linked weight regain after stopping such drugs to higher suicidal thoughts.
Pritzker's openness about his weight loss journey may resonate with many Americans, but it also underscores the ongoing national conversation about obesity, pharmaceutical interventions, and the pressures faced by public figures.
