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Fox News’ The Five was right to call out Gov. JB Pritzker after yet another cringe-inducing social media stunt. The governor’s latest “governor-maxxing” clip — a black-and-white, model-shot bit of self-congratulation captioned about “aura farming” — played like a politician more worried about his brand than the people who elected him. Hardworking Illinoisans watching their neighborhoods and wallets suffer don’t want a photo shoot; they want governing.
The reaction was swift and merciless, and not just from the usual suspects. Conservatives and Republicans piled on because this kind of performative politics reveals a deeper rot: substance vacated in favor of spectacle. When your messaging team spends time crafting vibes and aesthetics instead of solutions, it’s a fair question whether you’re leading or auditioning for influencer status.
This isn’t an isolated misstep — it’s a pattern. Earlier this year Pritzker drew eye-rolls for a tone-deaf “walking day” post, and now he doubles down on the same hollow playbook. Repeating the same gimmicks won’t convince skeptical voters that he has answers for skyrocketing property taxes, failing schools, and the violent crime that plagues parts of the state he governs.
The political calculus here is obvious: Democrats desperate to manufacture charisma will lean into social media theater when they have nothing else to sell. It’s telling that instead of laying out achievements or a credible plan for Illinois families, Pritzker’s team pushes clips meant to chill and charm. That hollow spectacle exposes how out-of-touch the coastal donor class can be with the daily struggles of ordinary people.
Republicans should use these moments not merely to mock but to contrast. Point to real problems that need real leadership — fiscal responsibility, public safety, and accountability — and force the conversation back to outcomes rather than aesthetics. Voters respond to competence, not curated vibes; the GOP should make that case relentlessly.
At the end of the day, the conservative position is simple: America runs on work, not on likes. Governors ought to be judged by whether they protect their citizens and steward taxpayer money wisely, not by how well they execute a trendy post. If Pritzker wants to be taken seriously, he should stop auditioning for the internet and start doing the job he was elected to do.
