President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that “African-American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, ‘Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please’ ” as he floated plans to extend his federal crime crackdown beyond Washington, D.C.
Trump offered the remarks in a White House press briefing during which he defended his takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department in D.C. He said the approach will soon expand to “another location.”
“I think Chicago will be our next … Chicago is a mess, you have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent. We’ll straighten that one out,” he said.
He dismissed questions about whether his remarks overstated support among Black residents. “The people of Chicago are screaming for us to come,” he said. “They’re wearing red hats, just like this one.”
In urging action, Trump pointed to a shift in how he sees Black voter support. “I did great with the Black vote, as you know. And they want something to happen,” he said.
Mixed Reactions From Local and National Leaders
Chicago and Illinois leaders responded sharply to Trump’s claims. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said, “Stay out of our city,” and accused the president of rhetoric that inflames tension.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker labeled the move an “authoritarian power grab.” He denied that Chicago residents are asking for a federal military-style intervention.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, whose district includes parts of Chicago, released a statement saying, “You are not welcomed,” in response to Trump’s rhetoric.
Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth also pushed back. Durbin criticized Trump’s claims as “political theater,” while Duckworth, an Army National Guard veteran, warned that deploying troops to U.S. cities risks militarizing law enforcement.
Who Are the “Black Ladies” Trump References?
Trump did not identify specific names in the “beautiful ladies” remark, but some local activists say he was referencing them.
Danielle Carter-Walters, co-founder of conservative group Chicago Flips Red, told the Sun-Times she felt Trump’s comments aligned with her organization’s messaging. “We’ve been asking for it in our videos. Now he’s doing it,” she said.
Other self-identified MAGA influencers also claimed to be among those Trump meant. One told Black Information Network she believed she stood among the “African-American ladies” begging for intervention.
Yet critics note that even if a few voices echo Trump’s rhetoric, they may not reflect the broad communities’ perspectives.