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Pritzker Meets With Trump At White House

Chao, Pritzker, DeSantis, Trump
still image from video
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From left: federal Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Illinois Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker, Florida Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis, and President Donald Trump.

Illinois Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker was in the White House Thursday, part of a group of newly-elected governors meeting with President Trump.

The president began the meeting by congratulating the governors-elect on their victories.

“Most of them have become stars, if not all, because you won,” Trump said. “And winning is a wonderful thing."

Trump then had everyone introduce themselves.

“Mr. President, I’m J.B. Pritzker, the governor-elect of Illinois, and I founded 1871, which is the — well, named this year as the world’s best business incubator,” Pritzker said. “And as I’ve been speaking with your daughter, I’ve also been a national advocate for early childhood education.”

Pritzker did not mention that he based his campaign in significant part on criticizing Trump. Or that the billionaire displaced the president as America’s wealthiest politician.

A spokeswoman says Pritzker went to the meeting to make the case for federal spending on roads and bridges. She says Pritzker will continue to oppose Trump on issues like immigration, voting rights, and women’s rights.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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