Trump's ‘Chipocalypse Now' Threats Ignite Fury in Chicago: Leaders Call Out ‘Wannabe Dictator’ as National Guard, ICE Raids Loom
- Natalie Frank
- Sep 7
- 2 min read
Chicago braces for ICE action, National Guard deployment as Trump escalates with AI-generated war imagery, outraging Illinois leaders who vow to defend city's democracy
Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D September 7, 2025
CHICAGO, IL - CHICAGO, IL - Chicago is once more at the center of national controversy as President Donald Trump escalates threats of federal action, warning of large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the possible deployment of National Guard troops.
Over the weekend, Trump shared an AI-generated image on Truth Social showing himself as Robert Duvall’s Lt. Col. Kilgore from Apocalypse Now. The image, titled “Chipocalypse Now,” shows him standing in front of a burning Chicago skyline with helicopters overhead. The caption read: “I love the smell of deportations in the morning… Chicago is about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.”
The president’s post, part parody and part threat, came as White House border official Tom Homan confirmed that ICE agents will “absolutely” conduct operations in Chicago this week. “You can expect action in most sanctuary cities across the country. President Trump has made sanctuary cities a priority because they knowingly release illegal immigrants who pose public safety risks. That is the core issue,” Homan said.
Leaders in Illinois responded quickly and angrily. Governor JB Pritzker called Trump’s rhetoric authoritarian and dangerous. “The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal,” Pritzker stated. “Donald Trump isn’t a strongman; he’s a scared man. Illinois will not be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson agreed, saying Trump’s threats are “beneath the honor of our nation.” He added, “The reality is he wants to occupy our city and break our Constitution. We must defend our democracy by protecting each other and protecting Chicago from Donald Trump.”
