Gov. JB Pritzker on Sunday’s “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker” mentioned he’s not ruling out a 2028 presidential run — and known as President Donald Trump a “cheater” in his private {and professional} life.
The Democratic governor additionally as soon as once more defended Illinois’ Democratic-led congressional maps as he stays within the nationwide highlight for serving to Texas Democrats take refuge in Illinois to keep away from Republican redistricting efforts of their state.
Pritzker, who was on Kamala Harris’ vice presidential shortlist, has been requested about his political future for years — and he’s all the time vowed Illinois was his first precedence.
However pressed by Welker on whether or not he can utterly rule out a presidential run, the governor supplied up a small glimpse.
“I can’t rule something out, however what I can rule in is that it doesn’t matter what selections I make, and I imply particularly about what I do right here within the state of Illinois, is concerning the folks of Illinois,” Pritzker mentioned. “Certainly, any future selections of mine will all the time be guided by that.”
The governor was requested if it was hypocritical for him to criticize Texas’ redistricting plan as Illinois has 14 Democratic districts out of 17 congressional districts in a state that noticed 44% help for Trump within the 2024 election.
“Effectively, keep in mind that what Texas is making an attempt to do is, once more, violate the Voting Rights Act. We didn’t. We held public hearings, legislative hearings. Individuals attended them. They spoke out. There was a map that was put out. There have been really adjustments made to the map. And a map was handed, and it was carried out on the finish of the census, the decennial census. In order that’s the way it’s carried out on this nation,” Pritzker mentioned.
The governor pointed the finger at Trump, saying Texas Republicans are altering the principles mid-decade “on the behest of the president of america, who’s clearly trying to and says that he deserves to have 5 extra seats.”
“… He is aware of he’s going to lose the Congress in 2026. That’s why he’s going to his allies and hoping that they’ll save him. And we’ve all acquired to face up in opposition to this,” Pritzker mentioned. “That is — it’s dishonest. Donald Trump is a cheater. He cheats on his wives. He cheats at golf. And now he’s making an attempt to cheat the American folks out of their votes.”
Welker requested Pritzker, whose value is estimated at $3.7 billion by Forbes, about Democratic nominee for New York Metropolis mayor Zohran Mamdani’s feedback that billionaires shouldn’t exist.
“Governor, is that the form of message that Democrats ought to be embracing?” Welker requested.
“Look — how a lot cash you’ve doesn’t decide what your values are. And I’m a Democrat as a result of I consider that everybody deserves healthcare. I’m a Democrat as a result of I consider we’ve acquired to fund schooling and have a free public schooling obtainable to each child on this nation,” Pritzker mentioned.
“I’m a Democrat as a result of I consider that we’ve acquired to face up for our democracy and in opposition to the MAGA Republicans who’re actually making an attempt to remove folks’s rights all throughout this nation. So it doesn’t matter what your revenue degree is. What issues is what your values are, and that’s what makes me a Democrat.”
The Democratic governor took a distinct strategy on Tuesday’s “Late Present with Stephen Colbert,” as an alternative making gentle of his wealth and buying and selling barbs about Illinois’ congressional maps.
Pritzker instructed Colbert he was “OK” with being a billionaire when Colbert supplied that being a billionaire is “not a very talked-about factor to be proper now.”
“You’re OK with it, I’m certain,” Colbert mentioned. “You realize what? That reveals actual braveness.”
“I’ve acquired to face up for my folks,” Pritzker mentioned to laughs.
