Pritzker fact-checked after denying he called Republicans ‘Nazis’

Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker was swiftly fact-checked by conservatives on social media for claiming he “never called Republicans ‘Nazis’” as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle traded barbs on heightened political rhetoric following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. 

“That is completely false. I have never called Republicans ‘Nazis,’” Pritzker said Monday while fielding questions from the media during a press conference where the Democratic state leader accused President Donald Trump of “actively fanning the flames of division” following Kirk’s Wednesday murder. 

Pritzker, who has condemned Kirk’s shocking assassination as “horrifying,” came under fire earlier in September when he claimed the “president’s rhetoric often foments” political violence. 

Now, the Democratic governor is facing impeachment efforts from state Republicans for rhetoric they claim has incited violence, and for his claims linking Nazi Germany to the GOP. 

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Conservatives on social media unleashed on Pritzker for claiming he has “never called Republicans ‘Nazis,’” pointing to his February State of the State address. 

Pritzker did not explicitly call Republicans “Nazis,” but compared the newly minted Trump administration to the rise of Nazi Germany. 

“The authoritarian playbook is laid bare here: They point to a group of people who don’t look like you and tell you to blame them for your problems. If you think I’m overreacting and sounding the alarm too soon, consider this: It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours, and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic,” Pritzker said in February. 

“Tyranny requires your fear and your silence and your compliance,” Pritzker added. “Democracy requires your courage. So gather your justice and humanity, Illinois, and do not let the ‘tragic spirit of despair’ overcome us when our country needs us the most.” 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker speaks during a press conference amid reports of federal deployments to Chicago Sept. 2, 2025.  (Kamil Krazaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

Republicans and conservatives in the state took to X to compare his previous comments on…