Trump Parodies "Apocalypse Now" in Warning to Chicago

Hinting at Military Deployment Over Violent Crime
"I Love the Smell of Deportation in the Morning"

Image of President Donald Trump’s Truth Social post targeting the city of Chicago. Screenshot of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Truth Social.

U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by parodying the film "Apocalypse Now" and hinting at a large-scale immigration crackdown in the city of Chicago.

On September 6, President Trump posted a digitally altered image titled "Chipocalypse Now" on his social media platform, Truth Social. The title appears to be a combination of Francis Ford Coppola’s film "Apocalypse Now" and the city of Chicago.

The image in the post shows President Trump dressed in military uniform, wearing sunglasses and a U.S. cavalry hat, looking at military helicopters against the backdrop of downtown Chicago. Parodying a famous line from the film’s protagonist, he wrote, "I love the smell of deportation in the morning," and added, "Chicago will soon learn why it is called the 'Department of War.'"

President Trump Targets Chicago in Truth Social Post. Donald Trump, Former U.S. President, Truth Social Capture.

Previously, on September 5, President Trump signed an executive order to rename the U.S. Department of Defense as the "Department of War." The Department of Defense also changed the name on its official website.

This post immediately caused a stir in political circles and local administration. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker strongly criticized Trump on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "The President of the United States is threatening to wage war on an American city. This is not normal." Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also responded, stating, "The President’s threats are an affront to national honor" and accused Trump of "trying to occupy the city and destroy the Constitution." Both officials are members of the Democratic Party.

As the controversy grew, President Trump told reporters on September 7, "I am not trying to wage war on Chicago, but to clean up the city." However, political leaders and civil society remain concerned that President Trump’s post could be perceived as a threat to the city and to democracy.