Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has publicly disclosed his use of GLP-1 medication, revealing an 80-pound weight loss over two years following a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. The 61-year-old Democrat's disclosure in a CBS interview has reignited speculation about his potential 2028 presidential ambitions and directly addresses past public mockery of his weight by Donald Trump. His openness about the medication positions him as an advocate for the drug's health benefits and reflects longstanding personal motivation stemming from his father's fatal heart attack at age 39.

Pritzker began GLP-1 treatment after blood work revealed diabetes two years ago, reporting a two-pound loss in his first week and marked appetite reduction. The medications work by mimicking a natural gut hormone to regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite; common brands include Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. Beyond pharmaceutical treatment, Pritzker maintains a four-mile daily walk along Lake Michigan, and Illinois has announced it will cover GLP-1 costs for 55,000 state employees. However, recent polling places him at only 4 per cent support for a 2028 presidential bid, well behind frontrunners including Kamala Harris at 42 per cent, Gavin Newsom at 18 per cent, and Pete Buttigieg at 9 per cent.