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Transcript
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SPEAKER 2
If you could speak directly to Donald Trump, what would you tell him?
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SPEAKER 4
What does Vladimir Putin have on you? I'm joined by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Honored to have you on, Governor. Governor, right after the election, you were one of the first, if not the first governor, Democratic governor, to kind of come out and say, you know, we're going to protect the state of Illinois.
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We're going to protect this country from Trump's encroachment if he starts violating the Constitution. Why did you come out with that statement right away?

My Interview with Gov. JB Pritzker

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By Ben Meiselas

When I sat down with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for his first interview on the MeidasTouch Network, I knew we were going to have a real conversation—not political fluff, not canned talking points. And Governor Pritzker delivered. This wasn’t just a chat about policy—it was a clear-eyed warning about the dangerous trajectory of Donald Trump’s kleptocratic grip on this country and an urgent call to action for all of us.

Governor Pritzker has been sounding the alarm since day one of Trump’s return to power, and he’s not mincing words. We’re watching a government that exists to enrich a handful of corrupt billionaires—Trump, Elon Musk, and their inner circle—while regular Americans are stuck paying more for tomatoes, lettuce, beer, housing, cars, and child care. Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs are driving up costs, and his broken promises are wrecking families’ finances. The only people thriving in Trump’s America are the ones already at the top.

And let’s be real—this isn’t accidental. This is what Trump wants. It’s not about helping the working class; it’s about funneling money to his cronies, selling garbage meme coins, and gutting the services veterans, seniors, and families rely on.

The governor told me stories that cut through the noise—veterans losing access to services, Head Start programs in crisis, parents unsure if they can even keep their jobs because child care is evaporating. That’s the real cost of Trumpism. That’s what we’re fighting.

And let’s not ignore Trump’s bizarre, dangerous obsession with Vladimir Putin. Pritzker called it out directly—Trump is literally helping Putin advance his goals while abandoning our allies and isolating the U.S. on the world stage. This isn’t leadership. It’s capitulation.

To anyone out there feeling afraid or defeated, Pritzker gave the message we all need right now: Stand up. Speak out. Show up. Whether it’s organizing, protesting, or just bringing friends to a congressional office—we have the power to fight back. And we must.

We don’t have time to sit on the sidelines. Trump and his enablers are counting on our silence. Let’s make sure they don’t get it.

Thanks again to Governor Pritzker for joining me—and if you haven’t already, consider joining now as a paid subscriber of the Meidas+ Substack.

You can also listen to this interview and share it with your friends and family on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

–Ben

Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Discussion about this video

User's avatar
Phgladko's avatar

I have voted for Pritzker twice and will continue to vote for him no matter if he is running for governor or president. I would hate to lose him as governor but he would make a terrific president. He improved our bond rating, improved our state's services, protected us during COVID - getting us needed equipment and supplies, and he doesn't take crap from anyone, especially the CONmander in Cheat.

Great interview, greatly appreciated!!!.

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Brian Colvin's avatar

Yes I agree. I was unsure about a Billionaire governor but he has done a good job. Our credit rating has improved. The state budget is a lot better and we have not heard any news or rumors (at least I have not) about wrongdoings. That last point is quite something in this state.

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debra's avatar

Some $$$$$$$$$ people are good. Look at Roosevelt!

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Douglas's avatar

Gov. Pritzger is a tremendous communicator and if he WANTED to tackle the challenge of the next Presidency, with having to clean up a disastrous catastrophe, I'd support him in any way possible. I think of him as a 'benevolent Godfather'!

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CJ Mighty's avatar

Same here! I would campaign hard for him here in the DMV area (DC-MD-VA).

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Michael's avatar

The problem is getting to another election. And if there is one will it be a fair one.

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Bambi Vargo's avatar

Envious of your having a great, progressive governor. Here in OH our governor was among the knighted few invited to the unveiling of the EO getting rid of the Dept. of Education. Our governor was invited because OH is one of the states that allows families who send their children to private schools (secular and parochial) to use vouchers. Ouch!

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MBMCINCY63's avatar

It annoys me having Dewine as our governor 🤬.

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Eugene Porter's avatar

Like "CONmander in Cheat"!

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Delores Rawls's avatar

Trump has no intention to help any middle class or poor Americans. They are pissing away your tax dollars. All while dismantling our life savings programs.

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bitchybitchybitchy's avatar

Is there a point at which swing/independent voters who voted for Trump will get that Trump lied, and that he is only interested in (1) tax cuts for thr 1% and (2) protecting himself?

The NYT ran an article online and in today's print edition about Arab-American voters in Michigan who went for Trump or who voted for Jill Stein(DO NOT get me started). Several of those voters interviewed are dismayed by Trump's support for Netanyahu.

While I understand their anger at Biden's blind and stubborn support for Netanyahu, they have NO reason to be surprised Trump's policies in the Middle East. Trump moved our embassy to Jerusalem in his previous term, and displayed zero interest in a more pragmatic approach to Israel.

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Michael's avatar

I don't understand their anger because they were blinded by it. It was pure STUPIDITY.

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Eileen Henderson's avatar

Helping anyone except himself and other rich people was never his intention.

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Marcia Schnell's avatar

And retribution. Don't forget he wants retribution.

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Tully's avatar

I am new here so don't know if Meidas has spoken to this yet, but I would love to hear Meidas do a show on how much Trump has spent of our tax dollars (millions) flying back and forth with a full entourage of secret service personnel every few days to play golf in his Florida swamp. Equate that to what's being taken away from all the other programs that have been cut which help Americans, especially in the red states.

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Sue Saunders's avatar

start naming the 1% by name and the wealthy corporations get those names out there.

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Jeanne Schultz's avatar

Love Governor Pritzker.

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Jennifer Rabuchin's avatar

Dumpster fire has played golf every weekend at the cost of 3.2 million in secret service expenses each time, including renting ten golf carts each day for them to follow him around. He is over charging them to rent rooms in his hotel. One million could hire 20 park Rangers for a year. Why isn't the department of government inefficiency investigating Trump for fraud abuse and waste?

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MM Harris's avatar

and how about the expense of ICE's use of those completely UNNECESSARY & EXTREMELY expensive, massive military planes for the photo op they believed they provided in "showing" us all their progress in deportations -- deportations that will hopefully be proven just as invalid and erroneous as the federal employee terminations that had to be rescinded nearly immediately, after complete chaos they created - ANOTHER waste of OUR TAX DOLLARS, etc.

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Jennifer Rabuchin's avatar

How is it "efficient" to randomly fire a bunch of government employees, then "oopsie" we needed them to run programs that are critical to national defense and try to find them to hire them back? And all the time and money they are putting into deleting "DEIs" from history such as the Navajo Code Talkers, Tuskagee Airmen, and Jackie Robinson's distinguished military and base ball careers because he was black? None of this makes any sense but to hurt people who sacrificed and were honored for their greatness even though they were black, women, Asian or Navajo. Because Dumpster Fire never received legitimate honors because he never accomplished or worked toward anything in his life. Gave himself a trophy for participating in a golf tournament at his own resort. Foxtrot Delta Tango!

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Cathy Delia's avatar

He is wearing his white supremacist colors well. He's not even trying to hide it anymore. I wonder if this is what the blacks and women for Trump voted for. Racists and sexists have a hard time hiding their true colors.

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MM Harris's avatar

Exactly.

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Tully's avatar

Give him a Whiskey Delta (a weak dick) November Golf (failure) trophy!

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Sandra Wallace's avatar

Etc. = Abu Ghraib.

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Brian Colvin's avatar

I just hope we have enough people stand up to stop them from giving our parks to corporations.

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Jennifer Rabuchin's avatar

It may take 10s of millions of us taking to the streets every day, refusing to buy from Amazon (which I hate because Bezos gave that scumbag Melania 40 million for her life story!), cancelling our accounts on FB, serious boycotts of any corporation that donated to Dumpster Fire, All countries cancelling any contracts with Felon Husk, and burning Tesla to the ground. Payback for burning America to the ground

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Susan Raquel's avatar

On top of that he is going to stream the Apprentice on prime.

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Jennifer Rabuchin's avatar

Don't under stand the reasoning behind that...maybe so that people will be reminded of what a cheap, sleazy con artist he is? Naw....

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Jennifer Rabuchin's avatar

Golf cart rental for one day is $250 Excellent book "Zero Fail" is a history of the Secret Service, last chapter goes into detail about Dumpster Fires abuse of the SS during his first term

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Douglas's avatar

D went to Bedminster this weekend....the weather report must have been favorable for a round of golf....

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Jennifer Rabuchin's avatar

Arrrrrgh! He is living a lavish lifestyle, while destroying peoples lives, the economy and democracy....I hope the people of Bedminster turn out to throw eggs at his motorcade Are we at the Marie Atoinette stage yet? He's all but said "if they have no bread, let them eat cake"

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Tully's avatar

I just asked about this further up the thread. I had read once it was over a million for every trip - the first month he spent only half his days working in DC and the rest in FL golfing. Also, the cost of bringing Melania in for "special appearances" since she no longer lives with Trump, or, for Junior to go on his hunting expeditions to kill endangered species. Junior gadflies about, then drops in at an embassy for a few moments so his play trips get paid for with our taxes. Those numbers need to be broadcast every time the Muskrat tries to cut more from Americans.

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Jennifer Rabuchin's avatar

That's a great idea! A daily, weekly, monthly "Trump fraud, waste and abuse of tax payer money" report. Also a graph showing how many times Dumpster Fire played golf during his first presidency, compared to how many times Obama played golf, (4 times a year or so) since the Republinazis were horrified that Obama was actually allowed to have some fun when he wasn't running one of the best administrations in history.

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Jennifer Rabuchin's avatar

My organization requires that employees take a yearly "fraud, waste and abuse prevention" class. One sign that someone is committing fraud is that they are suddenly living beyond their means, buying expensive cars clothes and jewelry, and taking vacations that would be out of reach for someone making that salary. Trump is living beyond his means, and laughing at those of us stupid enough to believe that a president is entitled to live like a king

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Rob S's avatar

Love Pritzker but I think his analysis of the Harris loss to trump is just familiar bullshit that doesn’t hold water. NO ONE wants to say it like it is. First of all, the economy wasn’t horrible. That’s just parroting GOP messaging. More importantly, HER MESSAGING WAS FINE. What we really should be asking is WHY WAS TRUMP’S BLATANT MESSAGING OF HATRED RACISM MISOGYNY HOMOPHOBIA BULLYING DIVISIVENESS INSURRECTION XENOPHOBIA GREED AND CRIMINALITY JUST FINE AND DANDY WITH SO MANY AMERICANS?????? WE NEED TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO ISSUE A CALL TO CONSCIENCE TO AN IGNORANT RACIST AMERICAN CITIZENRY.

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MaryAnnP's avatar

She lost because she is a 1) black 2) woman.

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Rob S's avatar

Definitely part of it. Sigh….. :-(

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Carl Selfe's avatar

Trump and Musk are both stupid and playing games. I look at each action and surmise if it is legal or not legal. Most of Trump’s Executive Orders are illegal. Those I know the court will cancel in due time, like a month. I get neither worried, nor anxious about those. Each of those illegal Executive Orders constitutes a fraud on the American people. This fraud is rumming rampant. The courts are now intervening, but the court should turn proactive by citing these illegal Executive Orders as contempt against the plain language of The Law that takes taxpayer dollars to mitigate (damages).

We the people are the 5th estate that must back up the courts. DOGE has cost us taxpayers $ billions already. We the people pay the bills here.

I hear the world’s wealthiest peckerwood*, a derogatory Alabama term for a white person, whining about suffering (equitably I might add) from the anger that the peckerwood* in fact caused. Robert goes to protest the peckerwood* today! I wish the non tax-paying peckerwood* neither the pain, nor the stain. One does not easily shake off international disgust. Musk will need to change his stripes and become the giver, not the taker. That is Peckerwood’s call. Only Peckerwood* can fix his problems. Peckerwood* has engendered bad will by his cruel actions. Poor, poor pitiful Peckerwood*.

Use of the term peckereood, an inversion of woodpecker, dates to the early 19th century. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the earliest printed use to an Alabama newspaper in 1835. Peckerwood was in use in reference to white people by 1859; it often suggested a white person who was a little off in the head, backward, or poor. The shortened form peck was in use in the same sense in the 1920s. In African American folklore during the 1920s, the woodpecker symbolically represented white Americans, in contrast to the blackbird that cartoonishly represented African Americans. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/musk-whines-poor-poor-pitiful-me?r=3m1bs

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Sylvia Arrowood's avatar

I cannot say that I agree with you about Musk changing. He is so high on ketamine and the other drugs he is using that his brain has probably fried by now. Rich people just become greedier - although I can't say that this is true of all wealthy people - Taylor Swift, Mark Cuban to name two. And now that Musk has tasted power he is gone. There is no turning back for him especially since Putin, Trump and MAGA are pulling his strings.

Yes, I believe in backing the courts but Trump is ignoring them. Until the courts take action against Trump and hold him accountable Trump and Musk will continue on their destruction of this country.

After Trump's announcements on Friday - telling China, sure we will go to war with you and then saying he wants Canada and he wants it now, destroying the Board of Education I'm not sure how anyone can feel safe or just not take these actions seriously.

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bitchybitchybitchy's avatar

I don't think that Musk is redeemable. His extreme wealth, his cult of credulous fans and his drug use are all red flags for me. Add his delight in inflicting pain. He's a deeply disturbed and disturbing human being.

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Deb's avatar
Mar 22Edited

Amen!! and for me, a little creepy.

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MaryAnnP's avatar

He wears his toddler around his neck to deter assassins.

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Sandra Wallace's avatar

Having heard and read, as an avid researcher, that Elon "allegedly" uses Ketamine and Adderall, I was curious about what these approved drugs were used for, and so I googled them.

"Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used medically for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. It is also used as a treatment for depression and in pain management. Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist which accounts for most of its psychoactive effects. At anesthetic doses, ketamine induces a state of dissociative anesthesia, a trance-like state providing pain relief, sedation, and amnesia."

"What is Adderall? Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two central nervous stimulants that improve focus and reduce impulsivity by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Adderall in 1996."

That's so sad to learn. As the old saying goes, "Money can't buy happiness." But it's scary to realize that our nation is being restructured and dismantled under the influence!

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Deb's avatar

If I’m not mistaken, Adderall is used for ADHD? What a combo. They both need serious mental health intervention (among other things but that’s a discussion for another time).

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Jean Conley's avatar

No wonder we're in more trouble than ever...........the guy on drugs. Nos surprised. Wonder if it crazed his mind enough to make him do that Hitler salute. Probably kept his nazism pretty well hidden until the drugs took effect. Made him show his true colors.

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Cuevas Doris's avatar

GOV. JB PRITZKER FOR PRESIDENT! 💪💙🇺🇸💯!

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Terry's avatar

I love Pritzker! As red as this state is outside of Cook County, I fear we'll go red without him. I'm in NW IL in a red county. Signs of trump still in people's yards. IL needs Pritzker!

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Cuevas Doris's avatar

People haven’t felt the full sword of Trumpism and musk. We need to plan now and start identifying the people who will bring democracy back to our country. Governor JB Pritzker is one of those who speaks truth to power and represents the American people. Hang in there we must stay strong and unite for democracy.

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Ginger's avatar

I know your in the middle of red country but honestly you are our eyes on what is happening... please stay strong and report some real observations instead of some reporters breeze in and out....

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CMP's avatar

Ditto - I use 72 frequently. Theres this farmer that still has a massive Trump-Vance sign. It’s mainly corn and soybeans. Can’t help but wonder when he’ll hit bottom and remove that sign

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Margaret Friedenbach's avatar

Me, too. Carroll County. My town has a huge trump sign at the intersection that is still there. Before 2016 I never saw people leaving campaign signs out for multiple months and even years (all trump signs).

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CMP's avatar

Interestingly enough, we’re having local elections next week. Neither candidate has a party affiliation on it. No “D” or “R”.

Was able to figure it out when I saw one sign next to a Trump sign

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Cyd's avatar

Is there any way to overturn the ridiculous immunity that was gifted to the grift? The destruction of our humanity, constitution, democracy needs to stop. The lawlessness needs addressed everyday by republicans and democrats! We’re are being run into the ground by the cloaked authors of Project 2025, out in the open as well as all dark corners!

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Brian Colvin's avatar

I believe it would need to be overturned by the USSC itself. Otherwise if the judges were investigated, impeached and removed and if that case was used in the impeachment it could be retried. However who would appoint new justices? Trump himself and he would install even more loyal servants.

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Cyd's avatar

License to be lawless. I hope bright minds somewhere are working on trying to overturn, ASAP—not after more crimes against humanity occur!

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Jeanne Schultz's avatar

Kamala should have won. She's normal, not insane like Trump is.

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Claudia Bloom's avatar

Thank you Gov Pritzker! As a former Illinois resident I salute your efforts to rally Democrats throughout the country.

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Joy Williams's avatar

Both Trump and Musk have closely associated with Putin. I believe that Musk is Putin’s handler for Trump.

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MM Harris's avatar

Yeah, and it's an interesting triangular power struggle on a few levels but we know who the master puppeteer is... (the plot thickens when trying to determine what musk has going on w/ xi .... or the xi-putin relationship). Bottom line: our two "presidents" are each ONLY interested in achieving / protecting their own individual needs, period. . . while sadly the ramifications are huge and widespread for all of us ("us" being here in the US but also around the world).

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Kathy's avatar

❤️JB Pritcker. Wish we could multiply him. The US would be so much better off with his kind of leadership.

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Pamela Ruby Russell's avatar

Thank you☎️⚠️‼️ There’s nothing like a little Empathy and Truth. We must somehow get the voices of Sanity, Honesty and real Patriotism out to the folks who have been lied to plain and simple, inundated for years now, with fake news, propaganda, fear and apathy. ⏰ It’s time to pull back the curtains… Let in some sunlight ⏳🌞‼️

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Rachel Kamm's avatar

Thank you, Ben! Excellent interview!

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Confused's avatar

YUP! I am waiting for his presidential bid. Let's go! 👏👏👏

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Punkette's avatar

Same here! Gov. Pritzker is the real deal. Huge respect! 💙

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Anne Elizabeth Ruhr's avatar

Gov. Pritzker wasn't paying attention when Vice President of the United States (do I have your attention NOW, Governor?) Kamala Harris told us and showed us who she was. She was a successful prosecutor and an example of the girl from humble beginnings who worked her tail off and succeeded in life and took down the bad guys, which is why we needed her in office. She acknowledged the need for the middle class and with the help of Tim Harris, they developed brilliant plans to restore the middle class and raise up the poor. And if you didn't notice, who chose Kamala Harris to be his Vice President? None other than President Biden, who had 50-plus years' experience in Washington politics and whose loyalty and dedication to this country is nearly unmatched. Now THAT, Governor Pritzker, tells ME ALL I NEED TO KNOW about the qualifications of Kamala Harris.

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MM Harris's avatar

Except she's spent most of her career IN California. I think Pritzker is correct in stating that many people across the country did not really know her. US Vice Presidents don't always get a lot of press, and most don't really get involved in big meaty issues that result in press coverage throughout their terms. She DID get involved - and quite alot internationally - but I don't think her activities were covered on a regular basis. And while you make some good points, I also think it's easy to forget that many people of voting age simply do not follow politics at any level. Many ARE interested but, too darned busy to do it, so scramble at the last minute re significant elections... I think Harris was severely hampered by having to jump in literally at the last minute, and without warning. No way/time to visit more states and rural areas beyond the swing states. Given that alone, I think she did the best anyone in that situation could have done.

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Susan Engelman's avatar

She did jump into the campaign later after a debate w/ tRUMP, who I remember was bullying Joe & we all know he speaks slower due to his stutter. However she was his VP for 4 yrs & only the 2nd woman to EVER run for president! The first woman of color / her mom of Indian descent & her dad was of Jamaican descent. She was born in California , she was a prosecutor & a senator from CA & she was in the US House for 6 yrs, Joe’s VP in 2020-24. She had a shortened campaign period but was supported by Joe the Obama’s- plus other Dems/ Celebrities! Lots of crappy Republican digs regarding Doug’s 1st wife/ divorce & their guy had how many wives?? And affairs? And trials regarding sexual assaults he committed??

Plenty of talk on tRUMP & Elon’s side about rigging & cheating in the ELECTION & I do believe that’s what happened!!

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Susan Engelman's avatar

Younger people don’t follow politics.. .so they voted for DJT - a man found guilty of sexual assault, who formulated a coup resulting in the deaths of people in the 2020 election… whether you follow politics or not - PEOPLE KNOW WHAT HE DID ON 1/6/2020!! We SAW IT ON TV - ON EVERY NEWS STATION! Something that NEVER EVER HAPPENED B4 In the history of our country!!

STOP MAKING EXCUSES & ENABLING HIM and “younger people”- If they’re now 18 to early 20’s THEY WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL THEN & surely

saw it & heard about what happened. I have grandkids that age & they saw/ heard & talked about it in their HIGH SCHOOLS!!

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Terry's avatar

Who's Tim Harris? I watched a lot of her rallies on tiktok and I don't recall that name. I personally, don't believe she had enough time. Plus there's too much racism and bigotry in this country. I heard a lot of, "a woman president is fine, just not THAT woman", men and women alike.

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Susan Engelman's avatar

She was Joe’s VP- she would have made a GREAT PRESIDENT! Tim Walz was her VP PICK. He had been in the National Guard, had been governor of Minnesota, was a teacher & Coach in a Minnesota high school, & I believe his wife also taught in the same HS. His son was disabled(autism-as I recall) & Trump made some demeaning remarks about that! Which were uncalled for, as many people who have known DJT & Melania, have long felt that Baron is also on the spectrum! Many of us who voted for Kamala feel that both sexual & racial discrimination were the reasons she did NOT win! But there are also numerous stories regarding democratic ballots that were not counted/ hidden/ & or lost( from people who did early voting) and after the polls closed were NEVER BROUGHT OUT & ADDED TO THE COUNT!! Many seniors do early voting because physically disabled seniors have difficulty getting transportation to polling places on voting day, so they sign up w/ local handicapped transportation services to get to/ fro the polls!

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Anne Elizabeth Ruhr's avatar

It was an honest mistake. I meant to say Tim Walz, but had Kamala Harris on the brain.

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Margaret Friedenbach's avatar

Much of the country did not know much about Kamala Harris except for what faux news sources had been spouting about her since 2020 when she was chosen as VP by Biden - pushing the "cackling" thing and claiming she slept herself to the top and how she spoke nonsensical. That was well entrenched on the right when Biden stepped aside.

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Susan Engelman's avatar

And people thought her “laugh” was a reason to vote for tRUMP? I find that real hard to believe! I’m betting Elon & tRUMP rigged the election count! ! There may still be people prejudiced against another race or sex, but given what we know regarding Elon’s tech ability to hack into things-I’m betting on that being the reason tRUMP “won”!! He’s a con artist & FAR FROM being “PRESIDENTIAL!” His tariffs are NOT HELPING EVERYDAY AMERICANS, & he’s now just declared war against the Houthi’s ! Because the world needs another WAR!! He really hasn’t SOLVED anything in Ukraine- his mouth flaps constantly & nothing positive FOR EVERYDAY AMERICANS has EVER been a goal he’s met!

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Margaret Friedenbach's avatar

My point is that the Right started in on her as soon as she was chosen for VP (and never let up). Too often faux news has a big hand in defining us and our representatives. Social media has a lot to do with that. Obviously I know how accomplished she is. You can believe what you want but if Dems aren't aware of what the other side does and their influence we are doomed to repeat 2016 and 2024. I agree with the rest of your comment. I also think there was some trickery and cheating going on in the last election.

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Kristin's avatar

What does Putin have on Trump? Good question, but we need to also ask:

What does Trump/Musk have on all of their Congress people??

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Lynn4Humanity's avatar

Yeah, are they being extorted or are they being paid off? 🤔

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Lynn4Humanity's avatar

Musk essentially has unlimited funds, so he could pay off all of Congress for his buddy Trump.

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Lynn4Humanity's avatar

As well as the means to try to blackmail them all.

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Jeanne Schultz's avatar

Trump is responsible for millions of deaths during COVID. Just shoot bleach into your body.

Dumb ass.

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LadyHistorian's avatar

The chemical reaction of doing so can be read about in Wilfred Owen’s WWI poem, “Dulce Et Decorum Est.” It does not play well with the hydrochloric acid in the stomach nor mucous linings so necessary to survival. Can we spell horrifyingly painful and probably deadly physiologic symptoms and result? And yet, somehow, the bozo is squatting in the People’s House. A closer look is necessary that someone someday will puzzle out how Exactly that happened.

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Jeanne Schultz's avatar

Pritzker for President!

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Cat's avatar

Love Pritzker👍💪🏼🇺🇸❤️

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Jessica's avatar

That’s my governor 🥰

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Punkette's avatar

Lucky you! I am stuck with Newsom, playing footsie with maggots.

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PA Lopez's avatar

That’s not quite as bad as having Kay Ivey, Tommy Tuberville, & Katy Britt in AL.

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Punkette's avatar

Of course, you are right. So sorry. I am grateful for our two CA Dem senators, but I reside in a majority red district with a useless R congressman, so I feel your pain.

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drbilldean@gmail.com's avatar

Is your vote SAFE? Will your vote be purged by vigilante challengers? Scared? Get Angry Protest

The Nazis(aka Republicans) SAVE Act and access to Americans private information The Nazis will use this information using AI to eliminate voters from the voting rolls with election consequences

We have the numbers they have the cash. The SAVE act will require proof of birth either by original birth certificate(who has that) or passport

The SAVE ACT will require people are asked to register or re-register to vote (31m do that every year….for various reasons change address/change county, change name with marriage) voters will have to prove they are citizens in order to vote This can be done in 2 ways: 1) proof of birth either by original birth certificate(who has that?) or 2 passport (12% have passports and are usually white and wealthy) What about women who have different last names now? Try to register if you do not have your original birth certificate because marriage licenses, military ID’s will not count This is why the Trump regime tried to do away with birthright citizenship

The result of the SAVE ACT: Massive drain of the voter rolls

Call your congressperson to vote against the SAVE ACT 202 224 3121

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Gr8Americanlib TX's avatar

Loved the interview and something I was looking forward to hear. I guess the only missing question was... Would you run for President. I also didn't know he is of Ukranian descent.

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Anna Romero Pierce's avatar

Great interview! Thank you, Ben.

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Adrienne's avatar

My Gov JB!! 🫂

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Rosemary Filleul's avatar

He just mentioned a wreaking ball. I remember Mylie Syrus using one in her music video...I can just see a naked Trump sitting on one swinging at America. Can't get it out of my mind now!

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Susan Engelman's avatar

The jiggling flab😆😂😆🤣

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Deb's avatar

Ewwwwwwwwwwwww 😵‍💫🤮

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Susan Engelman's avatar

The jiggling flab… NO wonder WHY MELANIA’S LIVING IN NY @ TRUMP TOWER with Baron & her Dad!! Besides the fact that tRUMP rarely showers… the smell of BO after all that daily golfing in the hot Florida sun must be enough to make anyone GAG!! Laughing hysterically @ the thought of DJT on Miley Cyrus’s wrecking ball , hitting a palm tree & sliding to the ground…leaving a large DENT in the ground😂😆🤣👍👏🌴

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Erin Flanagan's avatar

I am taking Governor Pritzker's direction and going to a spontaneous Tesla protest right now.

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Camilla Slater's avatar

Fantastic interview. Pritzker is excellent. Thanks for great reporting as always.

P.S

There’s no question this is impacting our global alliances and has geopolitical consequences that are toppling like a domino spread in a kid’s bedroom!

This is affecting us all and I have my own take on what’s happening and the implications for us all as the Right attempts to take hold nation by nation. Australia and NZ are already impacted.

And we are with you in the USA and Ukraine. We are your friend.

But we will win.

Power to the people.

And I’m a moderate!

This is about the descent into global technofeudalism and we need to take heed.

Cheers from Camilla Slater -an ordinary citizen from Australia and New Zealand.

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Jeanne Schultz's avatar

To everyone who voted for Trump...having fun yet?

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SEDBRNOT-MAY29's avatar

Geez, I love this guy, the governor of Illinois. Very smart.

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Cynthia's avatar

Illinois resident here. Thank you to Ben and Gov Pritzler for helping us be heard.

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Julia Creadore's avatar

I love my governor! 💙 So happy to be an Illinoisan! 🤗💫

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Margaret Friedenbach's avatar

And thank God for our 2 Dem Senators!

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Rosalind 🍁's avatar

Should the process start now to get foreign observers invited to oversee the 2026 midterms like happens with any other tin pot authoritarian government?

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Marie Marie's avatar

He is a KGB agent. He is working for them.

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Jean Conley's avatar

Ben--PLEASE bring Governor Pritzker back--especially since you're gaining more and more of a following! He's great! People need to hear him again and again.

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Tessa Romita's avatar

Pritzker is the kind of person I thought we were as Americans before Trump. Feel so much better having listened to a stand-up politician with morals, a mind and a backbone who truly cares. They exist!!! I would 100% vote for him as President.

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Cindy Lear's avatar

We need more democrats like him as leaders. He's plain speaking and focused on issues that effect all Americans!

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Kelly B's avatar

Love Pritzker!

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Grumpy Gramma's avatar

Pritzger is awesome. He's not afraid of tRump and his cronies. He sticks up for the average American. He also tells it like it is. Thanks for letting JB speak truthfully. 💙

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John L's avatar

I’m convinced our blue Governors and AGs are the best bet to counter this criminal administration in the courts, but it also needs us in the streets showing our strength in numbers—we need to make our representatives more afraid of us than of trump and musk.

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MM Harris's avatar

Ben: LOVE your showcasing of our smart, level-headed, principled, accomplished, unafraid LEADERS Like Gov. Pritzker! Keep 'em comin' -- they are the lights we need at the end of our presently dark tunnels, and they are inspirational.

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Shelley Mathis's avatar

It’s so encouraging to hear from a man with stabilizing intellect that gives me hope. Thank you Governor. Please help all the people. I’m 75 years old. retired teacher after 50 years and I’m so scared. 🙏❤️

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Ricki Schwimmer's avatar

Love my Governor!

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Charlie Dog's avatar

Gov. Governor Pritzker and Midas Ben... THANK YOU!!!

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Julie DeMicco's avatar

Great interview, Ben. I love Pritzker!

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Star Aasved's avatar

Great interview, Ben. Pritzker tells it like it is.

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GW B's avatar

There were questions in here about the unexpected shift from European alliances to introversion within North America plus Greenland. I’m suggesting you guys take a look at the Technocracy Movement of early 1900s including 1940’s and maybe include in a story if you find it interesting. Start with the Wikipedia entry and look at the 1940 map of the proposed “Technate”, and see that it includes Canada and Greenland. Note that it was banned in 1940 for being unwilling to support fighting against fascist Germany. Note that a director was arrested named Joshua Norman Hadelman in 1940 for his affiliation with that group. Note that this is Elon’s maternal grandfather, who emigrated to Apartheid South Africa after the allies won the war and his anti-democracy techno-monarchy initiative fizzled. I’m sure there’s other detail somewhere beyond the Wikipedia summary that could show even more parallels to what is being pushed by the new administration. These ideas seem to date at least as far back as WWII anti-democracy propaganda designed to both undermine democracy and discourage anything beyond diplomatic relations beyond our shores. You may find it a little eerie to read through.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technocracy_movement

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Chris Soden's avatar

Let’s hope we get to a midterm election before they destroy that as well. As for analysis of the last one, sorry but I feel we need to really take a harder look at the suppression of votes played a big part in the Dem lost. We need to stop thinking this was free and fair until you evaluate all the data since these are people who have their entire life have been liars and cheats. What would make the honest now. Not to mention winning all 7 swing states by just enough of a margin to not trigger a recount. Once we face that and then come out challenging all that they are doing we are still in wishful for the old days and some decorum in politics. As to Prizker, good job. Thanks.

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Deborah Plummer's avatar

So many good points on messaging. In Democrats defense, I realize when you are appealing to a diverse group of people it is challenging to play one note. If you talk about working class, you lose business folks, etc. It is also not a fair fight when there are so many lies and disinformation and millions of dollars being poured into a message. Trump bought votes from every special interest group simply by promising them what they wanted to hear. In a small way, what is happening can bring some good as so many people are hurting and finally experience what is meant to have democracy at risk. We need to connect the dots for folks in simple language as A.O.C. and Bernie are doing.

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Pamela Wilder's avatar

Great interview! Great Governor, good communicator! We need more like him!

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CMP's avatar

I’ve worked for the State 25+ years. JB is the only governor who has bothered to let state employees know that they are appreciated.

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Marguerite Baca's avatar

Great interview. Governor Pritzker clearly spelled out the timeline of incidents that have led to where we are now. He's a breath of fresh clarity in these dark clouds of chaos being generated.

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Connie l clair's avatar

Wow, Governor. Pritzker is amazing. I would vote for him any day. He would be an excellent president! 👏👏👏👏👏✌️🙏

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Rosemary's avatar

Kamala’s campaign was great! The election was stolen by musk and Putin

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HALLS's avatar

The Governors are doing a great job.

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Heather Soper's avatar

I like Governor Pritzker, he's a good man.

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Laurel Yatsko's avatar

Gov. Pritzker is a class leader. With him it is no act. He has done a lot for Illinois.

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Meghan's avatar

Illinois is so lucky to have him as their Gov. What a great guy.

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Sue Jacobson's avatar

My Governor!! Thank you for interviewing him. Thank you, Gov. Pritzker, for standing up for us!!

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bitchybitchybitchy's avatar

Pritzker is the kind of leader we need on the Democratic side.

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Lisa Capatosto's avatar

Thanks! Keep speaking up because we need speakers who are as personable as you.👍🏼

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Martin white's avatar

Good points

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Jeanne Schultz's avatar

Oh wow. I didn't know that. God bless you and your family.

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Iman Yusef-Yahya's avatar

I will continue to say that Kamala wasn’t running against Trump, she was running against massive misinformation, racism, bigotry and misogyny, and bottom line, there were many who were committed to just not voting for a Black woman no matter what, full stop.

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Nana's avatar

But here my question. Elon is right now BUYING VOTES IN WISCONSIN A PETITION EA SIGNUPS IS $100 buck musk is getting their info? Then is he using STARLINK LIKE IN NV TO TWIST BLUE VOTES TO RED FOR PRES. CLARK COUNTY NV HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SOLID BLUE COUNTY FOR 20 yr or more Then starlings used only pres was changed to red. Why did MUSK JUST PUT STARLINK OVER OUR WH NOT HIS. NATIONAL SECURITY RISK WHAT THE FUCK ATE THEY DOING NOT RECORDING PRES CALLS

BEST READ WHAT ZUCKERBERG & MUSK ARE DOING IN ROMANIA & TURKEY spreading conspiracy crap lies to get Authoritarian presidents in each and to keep orbit which is about ready to lose power, but musk stepped in. This is dangerously real. If we AMERICANS DONT SHOW STRENGTH OTHER COUNTRIES MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TOO. YES WE HAVE AN ELECTION BUT I THINK WE DEMAND DJT, VANCE AND IUT JOHNSON AS SPEAKER WITH HELP OF SOME GOOD REPUBLICANS. I DONT THINK WE CAN WAIT TRUMP WILL DESTROY AMERICA BY THEN WE DO AS TURKEY DOING ASAP RESIGN NOW TRUMP WE FEEL MUSK CHEATED USING STARLINK PAID VOTERS IN PA. PLEASE CONSIDER READING PETER WEISS FEATHERS FOR HOPE IT THE ONLY WAY OUT!!!

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West Winds's avatar

We have Ron DeSantis for our Governor. Florida has been a corruption state since Meter Lansky and DeSantis has done nothing to change that. Listening to Governor Pritzker, I know he could make a big difference here. If he runs for POTUS #48, I believe he will win. He's a problem solver and that's just what we need now.

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Jessie's avatar

Commenters on this page are INFORMED & ARTICULATE! That's the audience YOU attract!

Impressive & insightful comments.

THERE IS NO PROOF THAT ANY OF THOSE WHO WERE DEPORTED HAD CRIMINAL

RECORDS! THIS IS ALL LIES TO CONVINCE SOME THAT THE WASTE OF $$$ & THE LIES ARE PRODUCTIVE!

CRIME UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN DECLINED....WHERE'S THE CRIME THAT THESE

LIARS PRETEND? TRUMP MADE IT A NON-EXISTENT ELECTION ISSUE - A FRAUD!

THESE CLOWNS WASTED $16 MILLION ON THE GUANTANAMO SCAM!

MAGA CLOWNS PROMOTED THE VIDEO OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE!

It is known that MAGA depends on LIES, Conspiracy Theories & propaganda to convince

the CULT of their LIES because they SINGLE SOURCE their disinformation.

Keep asking QUESTIONS! Corporate media has failed the nation!

We now know that some of those DEPORTED to EL SALVADOR were WOMEN!

PLEASE! Someone needs to give the TOM HOMAN ZEALOT & ICE ANATOMY LESSONS!

There is a DIFFERENCE!

Just because someone has a DARK COMPLEXION does not justify DEPORTATION!

It's called RACISM!

Note that these MIGRANT FLIGHTS are a NO BID CONTRACT - MORE CORRUPTION! (See POGO article below)

The BRAIN DEAD ZEALOTS are targeting BOSTON because they don't comprehend the sanctuary concept. If a person has not committed a crime, why should they be targeted for DEPORTATION? Being in the US without documents is a CIVIL offense, not CRIMINAL.

Many of these people were granted TPS STATUS the DEMENTIA DON recently rescinded. They came here to raise their families in PEACE & to escape the THUGS the CIA/US/MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS installed to exploit RESOURCES & exploit CHEAP LABOR - you got your CHEAP BANANAS right?

BOSTON is a vibrant & interesting CITY because of IMMIGRANTS!

POGO (PROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT) offered these comments (subscribe for additional information - they do a great job!)

Business is booming for Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) top deportation flight contractor. It’s a company with deep political ties — including hosting a Trump campaign rally last fall — and links to high-profile controversies, some of which POGO is revealing for the first time.

On February 28, ICE posted a previously unreported notice that it would award a no-bid contract to CSI Aviation to remove immigrants via flights. The contract is worth up to $128 million and will last for at least six months beginning on March 1, and possibly extend up to a year. ICE modified this contract last Friday to increase the number of ICE removal flights — the same day President Donald Trump signed an executive order invoking a rarely used law to justify the removal of foreign nationals associated with a Venezuelan-based gang. Some of the first ICE removal flights under this contract appear to be at the center of accusations over the last several days that the Trump administration violated a court order.

https://www.pogo.org/investigations/meet-the-ice-contractor-running-deportation-flights

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Carol M's avatar

Great interview!

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ALVIS BOND-WINCHESTER's avatar

Put in has “everything” on the orange man. He literally and figuratively has him by his balls…twisted and tied up…locked DOWN IMO😶😐😶

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Susie savage's avatar

Thank GOD for Meidas touch

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Beverly Burden's avatar

Evansville, IN People’s Town Meeting on the street because Mark Messmer, our representative refuses to have one!

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Wimster's avatar

I wonder... what can you really do against Trump and his minions at this point? You can mobilize thousands of people, you can scream, organize town halls, make countless statements, etc... But what does it actually help? The earliest elections are not until 2026 (at least IF there are elections). If you see what Trump and his criminals have already destroyed in a few months, where will you be in 12 months? Fortunately I live in a quiet European country and Europe is rapidly decoupling from your fascist regime.

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Karin Angelika Boss's avatar

Yes, what does Putin have on Trump???

Trump does not care about you or me, he is trying to mollify Putin! WHY???

The way he acts (and it was very visible when Zelenskyy was in the oval office), he is doing everything in his power to make Putin "happy"!

And it is sad, that too many Americans are too complacent and did not realize what Trump is all about and has been all his life and voted without any thought ( and quite a lot because they secretly hate woman)! WHAT A MESS!!!

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Marie's avatar

We will be in Washington on April 5 or wherever we can be. What do the chicken shit DOJ people look like - Pam bond in a trapeze, Stephen shiny head short man Miller, Emil Bové (castrated bull in French) or eeeeeddddd Sullivan? Just so we can make sure they stand on the correct corner and mumble the right words. Love your work. Contrarians rock!

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Lauren K's avatar

A Billionaire who is not scared of actually being taxed! Somehow he is in touch with the working class. The one thing I disagree with though is that it didn’t matter how well we knew Kamala because who the other guy was.

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Christine Warfield's avatar

Awesome interview! Thank you!

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Julianne Clark's avatar

Despite his personal wealth, Pritzger is definitely still in touch with the plight of ordinary citizens. I am so grateful for the leadership he is showing all of us regardless of where we live!

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Susan Engelman's avatar

The SAVE ACT is ridiculous! In WISCONSIN , my photo is on my driver’s license along w/my name, address, & bday. I have used it to vote since I was 21! I have my birth certificate is @ home in our safety deposit box- but it does not have my picture on it & if it did - I look a lot different than I did in 1951! And yes, my married name is on my driver’s license. It’s the name I use when I board a plane & drive my car. There’s not enuf room on my license to put both my maiden & married name as I’d then need space for 28 characters!

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Ronaldo Shabo's avatar

He is intelligent and articulates what America should be doing

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Charlie Dog's avatar

I think we need to focus on the billionaires keep getting richer while the tax breaks for them are breaking OUR BACKS!

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Debra Frank Dew's avatar

Mostly excellent. Kitchen table issues? Hmmm. So many of these leaderly fellows turn to that mantra, which is quite hollowed out of meaning any more for me. Kamala did advocate for middle class needs. What I'm waiting to hear is for any one of these fellows to say, "She lost because of GOP women hating along with her skin color." Look and listen to who's being dehumanized and denied rights and deported and erased. Same... Same...Same. Real leaders speak the truth about what they're doing here to real people. They don't solely refurbish old platitudes like kitchen table issues.

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Linda  Greenleaf's avatar

Im screaming at my phone! We can't rely on the mid terms unless we do something about Musk's ability to use his money and technology to influence the vote!!!

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Sarah's avatar

I still don't understand how HARD IT WAS TO BRING UP: HUMAN BEING VS A FELON!!!!! GEE, WHO WANTS AN ACTUAL HUMAN!?!? 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

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Coop's avatar

I knew NOTHING about the Orange Turd when it stunk its way down the escalator at TT to announce its POTUS run in 2015. I'm in 🇨🇦 and had heard of a show, "You're Fired!" but had never seen it.

I knew within 5 mins that the Orange Turd was absolutely NOT suited to lead, well......anything, EVER!

And yet, here we are; the whole frikkin world is holding its collective breath.

FLUSH IT and BE DONE! 💩

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Angie's avatar

Pritzker is a good leader and a man with a soul.

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SusanK's avatar

Please do not turn on us like fetterman ❤️

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Charlie Dog's avatar

We need to get FAUX News off those military bases!

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SusanK's avatar

Well still working on the rrigging of the election with election truth alliance and others out there that are gathering all the facts! We're getting closer to getting rid of these douchebags in the government!!!

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S Ellis's avatar

I love your interviews. Your questions are short, to the point and always relevant. And you let the person answer for as long as they need to and you keep the camera only on them which allows us to really listen instead of being distracted by these constantly changing split screens. You are the best interviewer on any media by far. Thank you! Your work is so important! Another excellent interview. His comment about Dems wrongly focusing on saving democracy was so interesting . As Steve Schmidt said 'democracy never bought anyone dinner'. Pritzker is one of the bright lights for sure

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Rose Stephenson's avatar

Love your interviews and podcast. Although we’re Canadian, we are snowbirds in Arizona and with the current situation we are more than ever concerned with your convicted felon and politics. Thoughts on JD Vance would be helpful. Trump is dangerous but a buffoon, JD is dangerous but smarter and he would be the successor. Would we all be even worse off with JD as president?

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Tracey Kammann's avatar

Love my Governor. Have lived in Illinois for 60 years, he has made more improvements than anyone in the last 30 years. He needs to run for President ❤️

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Michael Smolens's avatar

As always - agreed with and learned from listening to Gov Pritzker. What I did not know before was that his family was originally from Ukraine - so he has more skin in this game than does any other politician that I am aware of. And also - my twin sister lives in Evanston.

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Katrina Nuciforo's avatar

He’s already a dictator

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Nancy Williams's avatar

The Founding Fathers believed that a well-trained and armed citizenry could defend against both foreign invasion and domestic threats, including potential tyranny. time to take up arms

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Katrina Nuciforo's avatar

I’m hoping but I’m worried about that

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Patrick Loring's avatar

Gov. Pritzker is a great guy!

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Kris's avatar

Pritzker for President!

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William H Crannick lll's avatar

Muscrat is benefiting financially as he did with Argentina..

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Nancy's avatar

It shouldn’t have been up to Harris/Walz alone to get those messages out. All Democrats in Congress and states’ leaders had a duty too, considering what was at stake.

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Michael McKee / Eric Stenshoel's avatar

I sent a letter to Pritzker and the other Democratic governors a couple of weeks ago, asking them to go beyond protecting the status quo by attacking the power of the oligarchs at the state level. Tax the income and property of the rich to fund the services that the Trump regime is killing. Democratize corporate law to require that any political expenditures, including lobbyists, be approved by a special board of directors on a one-shareholder-one-vote basis, with only citizens allowed to vote, and also by a majority of employees. This possibility of campaign finance regulation was expressly left open in Justice Kennedy’s opinion in Citizens United. Democrats still have legislative power in many states. They must get serious about using it.

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Barbara's avatar

I am Ukrainian as well. My heart breaks over this betrayal.

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Glenda C.'s avatar

This CBS Texas interview with Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is worth the whole watch/listen (can MeidasTouch get an interview with her on the network?)...

https://youtu.be/7kqR6GckEYc?si=SDXlCX9jy9hvSpC5

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Barbara's avatar

Yes! You are so right on! Thank you Governor.

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gayle carper's avatar

Thanks for an excellent interview. Thoughtful questions that elicited rational answers.

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Barbara Anderson's avatar

If you know what he was, then why didn't you prepare. Have a strategy? Because your all gutless wonders. Have been for 75 years. Lip service to the American people

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E Fox's avatar

Join the Fight!

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Linda's avatar

This was a great discussion and Gov. Pritzker is spot on…

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Fire Horse's avatar

DEMOCRATIC representatives need to speak in a far more forceful tone! Ie: Trumps henchmen Musk is doing…xyz.. to destroy Democracy.. & they need to do this constantly!! Just F#*#ing do it. Uggh

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Tammy Cocchiarale's avatar

I know many MAGAs and none of them have changed their mind in the least. They think he’s doing a great job. In my opinion, MAGA could end up in a tent and they would support him. They would just say, he’ll come through for us.

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Kacey Lee McKown's avatar

I love KB Pritzker. My senior senator Cory Booker could learn from him. Thank you Governor for stepping up!!

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Jackie Johnson's avatar

If only white people could simply tell their truth 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

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Nanci Suzanne's avatar

Proud of my Governor. He protects woman's rights, gay rights and voting rights. I'll vote for him a third time whatever race he's in.

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Nanci Suzanne's avatar

Proud of my Governor, he protects woman's rights, gay rights and voting rights. I'll vote for him a third time in whatever race he's in.

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Nanci Suzanne's avatar

I am very proud of my Governor, he protects woman's rights, gay rights and voting rights. I'll vote for him a third time, whatever race he's in.

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Nanci Suzanne's avatar

I am very proud of my Governor, he protects woman's rights, gay rights and voting rights in the state. I'll vote for him in any race he's in.

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M SMITH's avatar

Gov. Pritzker mentions Veterans who are in a homeless situation. Here in Florida the Fort Lauderdale Legion Post has taken responsibility by paying limited rent for applicants, a program accomplished by Federal funds until this year.

While effective to 'save taxpayers' money", it is not a long term financial solution for a local population of over two million. As a Veteran myself, I swore a vow to protect the U.S. Constitution; are federal policies now doing so?

As Social Security appears to be one of the next benefits under attack, I have a concern.

As a Republican, it is recalled that Biden spend four (4) years to say that federals elections were sound. After seeing Musk and his team of "teckies" at work, I have doubts since four out of five swing states voted for Trump narrowly.

It takes millions of dollars and puts great personal stress upon a presidential candidate and his family to stand for election. My question to the Governor is: are you willing to take on such a burden?

Finally, your story about ancestors who escaped Russia reminds me of an account of three (in-law, not blood)) adventurous relatives who left Odesa for America. Though their descendants are now scattered, the three brothers wound up in early 20th century Chicago to establish their families.

Such adventure and hope for the future that they had is needed today.

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A Hilliard's avatar

Pritzker strands up for the people of Illinois!

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Jeanne's avatar

I addition, Trump has deep and severe mental issues.

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Kate's avatar

I ADORE this man!!!

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Lisandra Santiago's avatar

I voted for Governor Pritzker, I’m so glad I live in Illinois.

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Elizabeth therkilsen's avatar

I think the main problem in 2024 was not the messaging…it was the delivery method. Kamala had a garden hose and GOP had a fire hydrant.

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Patty's avatar

Thank you for showcasing great Democratic leaders! I didn't know of Pritzker until today! Please highlight all the great Democratic leaders at every level! The country needs this so much right now! And this could be the left's counter-balance to the right's and Trump's constant campaigning!

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Cathy Delia's avatar

I could see him as POTUS. He'd be respected much more than the one we have now.

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Bill Reitz's avatar

The Democrats lost the 2024 election because all they did was enforce the status quo economically. In Bidens term the wealth of the bottom 50% went up by 0.28% That means that about 70 million people were falling behind. Its not a messaging issue its a doing something issue. When the democratic throw lipservice improvements to the bottom 90% they are directly backing the increased wealth and power of the oligarchs. In fact you can see 10 democratic senators vote with the oligarchy on the continuing CR. The repunlicans and pro oligarch democrats need to get out of the way and let the working class govern. Pandering to the oligsrchy has led to only ONE thing dictatorship. There is no middle ground here.

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Phyllis Anis Leewilliams's avatar

Excellent Benjamin💕.

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Always Hopeful's avatar

This is spot on!!!! Thank you Governor! Yes on that things just work - Dems work behind the scenes, heads-down working - THAT MESSAGE NEEDS TO GET OUT THERE!

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Iman Yusef-Yahya's avatar

Why didn’t Pritzker mention the fact that we were in a recovery economy, and that the Dems didn’t communicate the fact that the reason we were experiencing inflation was due to Covid and supply chain issues in the beginning to the middle of Biden’s term that people just didn’t understand?

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Scott Bump's avatar

What's Putin got over the Donald? The session with the Russian Prostitutes? Aligning with Russia Oligarchs back in 1987 giving them anonymous rentals at trump tower for.money laundering? Leaving our classified documents in his pool.side bathroom where his Oligart neighbor Marr Logo member ? Would Donald sell us all out? Donald is for.sale for the right price folks! Yep a bumbling fool buffoon!! He does not care about us! We are going to pay the billionaires their tax break!! Its time to dump the rotted not picked produce upwind of Donald!.

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shri Kingsford's avatar

Democrats were to busy crying about what trump did to or said about them.

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Yvette N Hath's avatar

Proud to say JB is my governor! Thanks for having him on.

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Margheritta J Tessitore's avatar

Governor you sound like a good man and I'm glad to hear that you have been fighting from the beginning for the people of your state I hope there are other congressman other governors other senators that will also take up the fight for the citizens of this country Donald Trump's a whole lot of things when he was campaigning and as most people can see by now he hasn't lived up to any of them the Rich need to be taxed not the working people not the middle class people and not those of us who are living close to poverty and the gatherings are getting larger they're getting louder and let me call the attention to the French revolution when they finally had enough and decided that they didn't like the way things were going and the king and queen and many of the people were sent to the guillotine no I'm not saying murder is the answer but there are other ways of killing somebody but it don't have anything to do with physical damage and the sooner we can get enough people together to demand impeaching Trump deporting musk

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It’s Time's avatar

Things weren’t able to get across because corporate media consistently and repeatedly fucking normalized that fucking turd. All for profit in tax breaks.

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Carole Bartolotto's avatar

I wish he would have run

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Kristina Ruehli's avatar

You know, we really like Pritzker. He can be eloquent and is a natural fighter with executive experience. He also has money. He is one of those on the left who can appeal to the middle. We should keep an eye on him. We need more like him, Bernie and AOC. Yet we can’t lose sight of the fact that we are going to have to go down the middle to attract those voters. Pritzker is one of those guys.

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Jim Devaney's avatar

The Governor is a great leader. Thoughtful, acknowledges the failures of the 2024 Democratic campaign and showed empathy for the poor and the working class. Loved his action plan to get congress's attention grab a few friends, make some signs and show up at a town hall or their office. Looking forward to doing that.

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Bobby Dickson's avatar

Day 1 he was bringing down prices?

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PoetryIsDemocracy's avatar

ps please allow comments by non paying “subscribers.” Substack unfortunately has become a capitalistic, profiteering enterprise and this will limit its influence. Namaste.

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PoetryIsDemocracy's avatar

this barely scratches the surface of what has gone seriously wrong in our country, and has led to the disastrous Trump administration. We the People have lost touch with what democracy requires of us -- being informed; voting on behalf of ourselves and our families/those who cannot vote; caring enough about the victims of gun violence to accept minimal restrictions on gun ownership and illegal use; to the extent that the 1789 US Constitution is not well adapted to 2025 life, voting to amend it. I'm grateful to Gov. Pritzker and this Substack for reaching out to prospective activists and voters...but we also need MSM to pick up on the importance of American democracy.

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Phil Knudsen's avatar

It’s the return of the robber barons and their “let them eat cake” attitude about workers. It created the labor movement, women’s right to vote, and the predicate for two world wars as well as the creation of social security and the new deal federal government approach to tackling societies problems. Good can come out of this nightmare if we are focused on waking up the country.

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Dave Carew's avatar

The Democrats have a strong bench and they need to be absolutely ready when they're called up to the plate.

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Patricia Ebert's avatar

Great interview, Ben♥️

Thanks, Gov Pritzker🙏🙏

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Brenda Seth's avatar

Great conversation!

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SUZANNE SCHERER's avatar

I disagree with Pritzker's assessment of Kamala "not knowing how to respond when attacked" theory. So many of these "attacks" he mentioned were just outrageous and ridiculous with a few exceptions that she DID counter. It appeared to me she chose instead to focus on her message and platform rather than expend energy countering trump delusion bullshit. 🤨

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Oscar Trujillo's avatar

Love you Gov. I'm from Illinois. Thanks for being a Patriot.

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SUZANNE SCHERER's avatar

I am concerned we will ultimately have to resort to violent conflict in order to get rid of the demented fascists that are running this country. Rule of law process WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT to stop these people.

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Tina's avatar

Ben you asked why did people vote against their own needs (Trump cold pizza fire fighter union quashing unions) ….. I think the answer is obvious: their racism and sexism and desire to ‘own the libs’ MORE than they wanted to keep their union benefits, keep their social security, keep veteran services, keep groceries affordable, not have tariffs jacking truck prices up $20,000….

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Patricia Ebert's avatar

‘ I think the answer is obvious: their racism and sexism and desire to ‘own the libs’…

think that’s called hitting the nail on the head for me.

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Strong & Free 🍁's avatar

Why is it not a five alarm fire that Trump is siding with Russia/Putin!? Why is he not asked thus every day. Why are GOP reps not asked every day!? Why is he not charged with treason!?! Why aren’t millions of people on the streets demanding his removal!? It’s beyond belief as a non-American!

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Debby's avatar

If we reformed political contributions, billionaires wouldn't be a problem.

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Patty's avatar

Thank you, Ben and Governor Pritzker (one of my favorite governors, even though I don’t live in Illinois) for taking time out of your day to do this!

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K9Rottwiler's avatar

Well put.. Democrats Lost the information war in 2024. Hope Democrats bring some new blood into the party for 2026 that understands how to defeat MAGA

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Inotu's avatar

The military must make a coup. The military leaders who were fired must retake charge of the military at all cost. Trump musk will be worse than the man they admire openly,hitler. No more validating their lies with discussions.

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Sandra Blessman's avatar

I absolutely love Pritzker. He calls it as he sees it. He is tough and not afraid of donnie. He cares about people. So good too see

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CJ Mighty's avatar

I absolutely love Governor Pritzker! He should consider running for POTUS in 2028! Pleeease, we need a very strong backbone and spine- and I believe Gov JB has that!

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bettievanoverbeke's avatar

Postal workers were fired by email this morning. FELON and Muck destroying post-office. Rural areas depend on the post-office. They are also shutting the main Hilo Postoffice a historic building with many PO boxes as Hawaii lacks home delivery in many places.

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meryl selig's avatar

Love JB!!

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meryl selig's avatar

JB is The Real Deal.

Straight talking, super articulate and super

Smart. Best of all he is not

Going to sell

His soul for $$$$$

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meryl selig's avatar

JB is far and away the most articulate, brightest and least overtly political

person out there… he is not beholden to other people’s money. He is brave,

Smart and talks on-point at all

times

Compare and contrast to entirely political, hopelessly self-absorbed and mind numbingly superficial Gavin Newsom. I am

a Californian; I find

Gavin totally

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meryl selig's avatar

Newsom is hopelessly superficial,

enamored of himself,and is DOA asa national figure

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Cathi Connelly's avatar

Awesomeness

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J. Butler's avatar

Governor Pritzker is worth $3.7 Billion. Why doesn't he pledge to use his wealth to attract researchers who had their NIH funding cut by Trump/Musk/RFK, and have them move to Illinois? According to US Census estimates released earlier this month, Illinois' net population in 2024 increased by only 11,664, with over 56,000 people moving out of Illinois to other states. The Pritzer family as a whole is incredibly wealthy. Governor Pritzker (and the Pritzker tribe) should be personally investing in Illinois' future, and thereby transforming the state into a health research powerhouse.

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Joseph Skipper's avatar

I can’t wait for the day, the moment when we found out what blackmail material was more important to him than his fellow-brother, political party, and most of all… his country.

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Cathi Connelly's avatar

You gotta love Pritzker.

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Carolea Hassard's avatar

We had a deal with Ukraine. It's called the Budapest Memorandum. The U.S. convinced Ukraine (and others) to give up their nuclear weapons in exchange for a security guarantee in the event of an invasion.

Where is that deal? Trump says Russia has the advantage? Idiot. Of course they do. They're a $7.1 trillion country invading a $684 billion country. How many times bigger is Russia than Ukraine and yet in an astonishing and wonderful move, Ukraine has held off that evil behemoth.

With little enough help from us. What strong people they are. Smart, too.

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fbranella@aol.com's avatar

Definetly, a Presidential candidate !

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Ana warner's avatar

I’m afraid that we won’t have fair elections going forward unless the foreign and muskrat interference issues are dealt with first! Planning on a win in 26 is not facing reality… Dems still playing by the rules which republicans tossed out and trampled!

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Ana warner's avatar

Trump and Musk have no interest in leadership or anything that won’t enrich them and feed their ginormous egos.

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Liberal Rocks's avatar

I think we’ve found our 2028 nominee.

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Beverly Burden's avatar

Its like this on both sides of the street for an entire block!

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Joan Powell's avatar

Thank you Ben as always. For working tirelessly, daily giving Truth/Facts, caring about all of us and your team. Your shining light of Hope, as the U.S. was the beacon of hope of the free world, and what we as Americans believe and value including the U.S. Constitution. Be sure and take time away with family, to recharge your batteries.

Keep up the great work Ben, well knowing the threats you and all of us face. Courage, determination, integrity, sacrifice and love of country.,you have and we the people (rallies, peaceful protests, town halls etc) have. We are all in this fight together to take our country back. I appreciate Ron’s expertise and others here on substack.

Thank you for this interview, Ben, I’m sure you are aware since 2017, I’ve been fighting by investigating besides on twitter/x against Russia, facts don’t matter to them, just their rhetoric of lies as Truth. I connect dots of information and relay my findings to help stop this crisis, cruelty we are facing.

I do pray daily (everyone should, I understand if maybe some don’t believe or have stopped believing in the power of God, I always respect everyone’s religious beliefs or non beliefs.)The story of Moses, Christ Jesus showed us the way - Matthew 5 and so on) The Bible brings me great comfort, strength including the Word of God, from being afraid. Psalms is always good to read like 23, 91.

Have a good weekend and stay safe and healthy everyone. ❤️

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Nancy Williams's avatar

The Founding Fathers believed that a well-trained and armed citizenry could defend against both foreign invasion and domestic threats, including potential tyranny. as per the Second Amendment. what is a melilsha?

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0:23
We're going to protect this country from Trump's encroachment if he starts violating the Constitution. Why did you come out with that statement right away?