Pritzker asked about Trump Jr's wedding, pivots to Trump's 'most corrupt' presidency

WASHINGTON, DC: Illinois Gov JB Pritzker turned a question about Donald Trump Jr’s wedding into an attack on President Donald Trump during an interview on ABC’s 'This Week ' on Sunday, September 20, then left open a future presidential campaign when pressed about 2028. 

Jon Karl asked whether reports about Russian businessman Umar Kremlev helping finance wedding celebrations presented a problem for Democrats.

Pritzker did not directly address the arrangement, shifting toward what he described as corruption surrounding the Trump administration.

Wedding question triggers broader Trump attack

“I think the issue is the corruption in Washington by Donald Trump,” Pritzker said, before accusing the president of using his office to benefit himself, his family and allies. 

He called it “the most corrupt presidency that we’ve seen in our lifetimes, maybe ever in the United States.” 

Those were Pritzker’s characterizations, not established findings in the interview.

His comments followed ProPublica reporting that Kremlev, who heads the International Boxing Association and has been described by the outlet as close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, paid hundreds of thousands of dollars toward Trump Jr’s three-day Bahamas wedding celebrations.

The spending included a private island rental and fireworks, according to records and interviews cited by ProPublica.

Trump Jr and his wife Bettina Trump confirmed that Kremlev hosted two nights of celebrations, describing the contribution as a wedding gift from a friend.

President Trump said his son planned to reimburse Kremlev. 

Democrats have opened an inquiry.

Pritzker wants accountability, not immediate impeachment

Pritzker connected the wedding question to government accountability, saying Democrats should hold hearings and make information public if they regain control of Congress.

He stopped short of advocating immediate impeachment.

Asked whether impeachment should follow a Democratic congressional victory, Pritzker said lawmakers should not “just go straight to impeachment” and should first conduct hearings.

He argued that removing Trump would leave Vice President JD Vance in the presidency and said the priority should be winning Congress and checking Trump’s actions.

His response shifted the interview from one family event toward a broader message for the 2026 midterms. 

Pritzker said Democrats should focus on accountability while presenting themselves as a party that can deliver for working families.

Governor leaves 2028 question open

Karl later moved from Trump to Pritzker’s political future.

Pritzker said he was focused on serving as Illinois governor and praised the work he said his administration had accomplished for working families.

When Karl asked whether he would run for president, Pritzker did not rule it out.

He said he wanted to remain focused on Illinois and that future decisions would be based on what he believes is best for the people of the state.

Karl pressed further, asking whether a potential Kamala Harris campaign would affect his decision.

Pritzker said Harris should run if she wants to and described a possible Democratic presidential contest as a “real contest of ideas.”

Pritzker’s closing comments focused on voters and Washington today. 

He said Democrats need candidates who can present a major agenda and demonstrate that they can get things done.