The city of Chicago is bracing after yet another week of President Donald Trump threatening to the send in the National Guard. But while he’s determined to rid the city of violent crime, chaos and uncertainty continues to surround his plan. Now, we’re tackling myths and misinformation ahead of the proposed takeover.
Suggested Reading
The Truth About Crime in Chicago
The president is convinced there’s a violent crime problem in Chicago. And while it’s true the city has struggled with high crime for since the 1920s, there’s a lot more to the story.
The mayor’s office reported a 33 percent reduction in homicides and a 38 percent decline in shootings in the first six months of 2025. Still, over Labor Day weekend, police reported 54 people were shot and seven killed, according to NBC Chicago, which only adds the the city’s reputation… But experts say Trump’s numbers are blown out of proportion when it comes down to the facts.
He said on Truth Social, “Chicago is the worst and most dangerous city in the World, by far,” and later claimed, “CHICAGO IS THE MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!” But that’s simply not true. In fact, Chicago doesn’t even make the top 50 list of homicidal cities in the world. Seven other American cities did, however, make the cut, according to The Igarapé Institute, including Memphis, New Orleans, St. Louis, Cleveland– all run by Republican governors.
Trump to ‘Go to War’ with Chicago
With his mind made up, Trump said he’ll “go to war” in Chicago to end violent crime. These questionable remarks came just after he signed an order changing the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
On Saturday, Trump said on Truth Social Chicago was “about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR.” His post also referenced the Vietnam War movie “Apocalypse Now” and had imagery depicting Trump as a character from the film, Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore. Illinois Democrats immediately opposed this.
The president did, however, walk back his statements on Sunday (Sept. 7) saying, “We’re not going to war. We’re going to clean up our cities.” He continued, “We’re going to clean them up so they don’t kill five people every weekend. That’s not war, that’s common sense,” which is great news considering the president going to war with an American city can’t be good for Trump business.
Salt Trucks in Chicago
Folks online are convinced the city of Chicago deployed salt trucks in order to distract from Trump’s ongoing crusade against immigrations. The windy city often uses salt trucks during the snowy winter moths, but they were spotted outside in September, which had people speculating the city was taking a stand against ICE… but that wasn’t the case.
According to NBC News, the salt trucks were actually there “to support public safety efforts related to a planned protest and the Taste of Chicago.” A spokesperson from the Chicago Department of Streets later said this was a routine practice
Gangs Are Preparing to Fight the Guard
His initial remarks did, however, make it all the way to TikTok where many folks advised the president that if he sends in the National Guard, they will be met by the gangs of Chicago ready to retaliate.
One user, @intamarcuswetrust, even said “We are a different f*****g breed out here. We are not Los Angeles. N***a, we are not Washington, D.C.,” he began in a now-deleted TikTok. “I’m telling you them n****a gon fight back,” he added. “There are more bad people then good people,” he said of his own city.
The video went viral, which prompted people to run with their own narratives. “A viral video is circulating of a Chicago gang member sending a direct warning to Donald Trump,” @21warwick wrote, although there’s no evidence to suggest the creator is a gang member. There’s also no evidence that gangs in Chicago are organizing to take on the National Guard if Trump sends them in.
It’s impossible to know what will happen if Trump invades Chicago But clearly, the president feels the city needs a makeover. If his plan goes anything like D.C. or LA, then Americans– especially Black Americans– should be alert.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.