Isn’t hat special: Trump’s gift for Rahm
It’s a tale of two toppers. Translation: President- elect Donald Trump gave Mayor Rahm Emanuel two hats Wednesday. One was red. One was white. Both were imprinted: “U. S. A.” The Rahmster and the Donald met at Trump’s bastion of tower power in New York on Wednesday at the invite of the president- elect to exchange ideas and talk turkey.
“I had to chuckle about the hats,” said Emanuel, who chose his Trump meet and greet as an opportunity to pitch for the plight of refugees and youth mentoring programs to combat violence.
But there were some light moments.
Sneed is told Trump noted the Emanuel triumvirate: the three high- profile Emanuel brothers with A- type personalities.
“He started out by saying two things,” Emanuel told Sneed.
“First, he said: ‘ I love your city. It’s a great American city. I love that riverwalk. I love the buildings.’
“And no, he did not mention the City Council’s vote to strip the Trump Plaza street designation in front of Trump Tower.
“Secondly, he talked about my family,” added Emanuel, whose uber Hollywood agent/ brother Ari Emanuel is a close friend of Trump’s, whom he refers to as “The King of Hollywood.”
“He said: ‘ I gotta meet your mother. Three great boys. How did she do it?’ ” The youngest son is Zeke Emanuel, who is an oncologist, bioethicist, professor, provost, author and an ex- Obama White House aide.
Countered Emanuel: “I told him he better not exclude my father. It takes two parents to make you crazy! Then I told him seriously about the values they had taught us in our upbringing.”
But before the meeting was over, Emanuel told Trump about Chicago’s Star Students Scholarship program, a gateway to community college for kids who graduate from CPS in 2016 or after with a 3.0 GPA and who test completion- ready in math and English, to pursue an associate’s degree at City Colleges of Chicago at no cost — free tuition and books.
“I told him Chicago was the only city to do this, and he said he planned to send someone to Chicago soon to look into the program.”
And Emanuel didn’t leave empty- handed.
He just had to figure out what to do with Trump’s red and white toppers.
House hunting?
Hmmm. Is M. K. Pritzker, wife of potential gubernatorial candidate J. B. Pritzker, staking out her territory at the governor’s mansion in Springfield?
Or is it totally a coincidence Pritzker is now a member of the Illinois Executive Mansion Association, which is trying to renovate the old pile under the leadership of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s wife, Diana?
Well, scratch rumors Pritzker is a socialite who wants to do a mansion. Sneed has learned Pritzker was invited to join the board.
“I was honored to be asked last spring to work on a project of historic significance, restoring the integrity of the Illinois Executive Mansion. This is not a partisan issue. It’s the people’s house.”
Pritzker comes well qualified to do so: She studied art and architecture at the University of Nebraska and historical architectural renovation at the Art Institute.
There ya go.
The Kennedy corner . . .
Businessman Chris Kennedy, Chicago’s link to the JFK dynasty who is eyeing a bid for governor, telling folks “I’m in” at the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago Christmas Luncheon on Friday. How does Sneed know? I was there.
Pssst!
The Power of Four: Ald. Roderick Sawyer ( 6th), state Sen. Kwame Raoul, attorney Larry Rogers Jr. and city Treasurer Kurt Summers were spotted huddling over a table at Chicago Cut recently to ensure they were on the same page to demonstrate political muscle when needed in upcoming political races.
Mayoral and gubernatorial, natch.
Sneedlings . . .
I spy: Chance the Rapper at il Porcellino then Studio Paris on Nov. 25. . . . Actor Joseph Sikora at The Local Chicago on Sunday. . . . Comedian Bob Saget spotted at RPM Steak and Three Dots and a Dash for drinks before jumping on stage with Nashville recording artist Shawn Lacy at Bub City on Nov. 20. . . . Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco and friends at Chicago Cut after his Chicago Theatre show Nov. 26. . . . Former Gov. George Ryan at La Scarola on Nov. 18 and former world boxing champ Evander Holyfield with pal Bill Conforti last Saturday. . . . Today’s birthdays: Nicki Minaj, 34; Sinead O’Connor, 50, and Teri Hatcher, 52. . . . A belated birthday greeting to Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar, ageless and sometimes cantankerous.
Chris Kennedy, Chicago’s link to the JFK dynasty who is eyeing a bid for governor, telling folks “I’m in” at Irish Fellowship Luncheon. @ SNEEDLINGS