WASHINGTON — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged his rapid weight loss, joked about former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel — another 2028 presidential hopeful — and critiqued the Trump administration during a speech before Washington journalists and dignitaries on Saturday.
“I'm JB Pritzker, governor of the great state of Illinois, and if you're seeing me in person for the very first time, yes, I'm the gov who put 'gov' in Wegovy,” Pritzker said, referring to the popular weight-loss drug and eliciting laughs at The Gridiron Club and Foundation Spring Dinner.
Pritzker, who is widely seen as a Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential primary, addressed the speculative chatter during a quippy, joke-filled 13-minute address and did little to squash it. His appearance capped a big week of wins for the governor, who just won his third primary with no opposition and is being credited with helping Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton win her Democrtic primary bid for the U.S. Senate. Pritzker's popularity among Democrats in the state helped boost Stratton's numbers — and the governor also doled out millions to a pro-Stratton PAC to help her run ads.
“As far as my own plans for 2028, here’s what I’ll say right now, I'm 100% focused on the people of Illinois,” Pritzker said. “That's not just me talking. That's also a 2006 quote from Barack Obama.”
Pritzker, seated at a head table, spoke to Emanuel, who was in the crowd of more than 560 journalists, media executives, lawmakers, diplomats and military officers. Attendees included four governors, six members of Congress and several ambassadors. The event was white tie, with men wearing tails and women wearing gowns. First Lady MK Pritzker wore a colorful gown by Greek born London fashion designer Mary Katrantzou.
The Gridiron Club has invited every president since Grover Cleveland to speak — but the Trump administration declined the invitation to provide a speaker. Pritzker filled some of that void with cracks aimed at Trump and his Cabinet, including digs at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
"It's too bad Stephen Miller couldn't be here tonight. Unfortunately, he had a previous commitment — mass deporting a quinceañera," Pritzker said. "I mean, white tie, you'd think he'd be into it. Maybe next year if the invite said white hood. Just think how much more damage Miller would do if he could go outside in the daylight."
Of Hegseth, Pritzker said his biggest enemy is "people who take bad pictures of him."
Gridiron Club President Jackie Calmes alluded to Pritzker's 2028 ambitions during her speech, joking that he is "already doing oppo research on some of his fellow Democrats."
"And the governor has competition from his own state — Chicago's Rahm Emanuel," Sanders said. "Don't worry, Governor. I hear you have a leg up on him — and half a finger."
Pritzker and Emanuel are longtime friends and are often grouped together on 2028 presidential lists.
“When we chatted earlier, Rahm told me to go f--- myself, but it's nice to know that I'm back on his good side,” Pritzker said.
The dinner also featured musical skits, with club members satirizing the first year of President Trump's second term — as well as the emerging presidential field for 2028. In a Democratic skit, cast members playing Sens. Bernie Sanders and Kirsten Gillibrand pleaded with Americans to vote blue, to the tune of "Take A Chance On Me."
The Republican skit featured cast members playing White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt relaying the destruction of the White House's East Wing, to the tune of "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell.
In another song called "Pritzker in '28," a chorus of club members crooned, "Pritzker, Pritzker'' with a singer belting, "Chutzpah's my middle name."
"Bank account is deep and vast. Toilet scandal's in the past. JB's going places fast. This boy's no bantamweight," performer Kevin Bennear sang. "I drive electric chariots. Private planes and fancy yachts. Meek an' mild Chicago boss. 'Mister Democrah-say-yay.'"
The show was co-headlined by Pritzker, who was chosen to deliver the speech on behalf of Democrats, and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who spoke on behalf of Republicans.
Sanders both complimented and chided Pritzker. She offered up advice for a presidential run, including to “do the exact opposite” of what Vice President Kamala Harris did and to “always stay at a Comfort (Inn) Hotel, not those hideous Hyatts,” poking fun at the hotel chain owned by the Pritzker family.
