‘F--k Trump’: Illinois Democrat Juliana Stratton Faces Backlash Over Expletive-Laden Campaign Ad

Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 06:28 IST

The Republican National Committee condemned the advertisement, calling Juliana Stratton a “defund-the-police radical” and accusing her of ignoring crime.

A campaign video by Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton featuring supporters chanting “F— Trump" sparked controversy and drew sharp political reactions ahead of the state’s Democratic Senate primary. The television advertisement shows a series of people- including US Senator Tammy Duckworth- delivering the expletive-laden message directed at US President Donald Trump.

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“F— Trump, vote Juliana," several individuals say in the video, with multiple bleeps used to censor the profanity for television broadcast. Juliana Stratton herself does not use the phrase in the advertisement. Appearing at the end of the clip, she says, “They said it, not me."

The ad marks Juliana Stratton’s first television commercial funded directly by her campaign as she seeks the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Senator Dick Durbin. The move is being seen as an attempt to gain attention in a competitive race where Juliana Stratton has trailed Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi in early polling, fundraising and advertising spending. Another Democratic contender, Representative Robin Kelly, is also in the race.

Juliana Stratton has the backing of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who appears briefly in the advertisement but does not use profanity.

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Republicans Criticise Ad

The Republican National Committee condemned the advertisement, calling Juliana Stratton a “defund-the-police radical" and accusing her of ignoring crime.

Krishnamoorthi has also run ads targeting Trump, saying, “I fight Trump every day," while Kelly’s campaign messaging has highlighted efforts to hold Trump administration officials accountable.

Campaign finance data shows Krishnamoorthi has spent far more on advertising, with $23.5 million in ad spending through mid-February, compared with $69,000 by Juliana Stratton’s campaign and $212,000 by Kelly over the same period.

News world ‘F--k Trump’: Illinois Democrat Juliana Stratton Faces Backlash Over Expletive-Laden Campaign Ad

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