Gretchen Whitmer finds herself in deep trouble. This comes on the heels of her highly-publicized recent visit to the White House with a similarly bipartisan delegation. This visit aimed to address the aftermath of a severe ice storm in northern Michigan, discuss the state’s defense assets, and evaluate tariffs impacting the local economy. Her unexpected foray into the media during the visit surprised many on both sides. That’s raised critics’ eyebrows, especially since that was at the same time as then–former President Donald Trump.
Whitmer first won election as governor in 2018. She won re-election in 2022 by an even greater margin than her initial win. She’s in the lead in one of the United States’ most important electoral battlegrounds. This, in turn, has catapulted her into national political prominence. Her heavy-handed policing measures have created difficult conversations about her mission and reputation, particularly among her fellow politicians and voters.
To this day, during her visit to the White House, Whitmer remains HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge surprised. What she hadn’t counted on was being thrust into the media spotlight. In later remarks, she reflected on her experience. It was not ideal—we’ll say that upfront—not where I wanted to be, planned to be, or would have liked to have been. Much of the environmental community is raising doubts about her motives and game plan due to this show of resistance. That’s particularly true in light of her attempts to separate herself from Trump.
In a surprising twist, Trump ended up showering praise on Whitmer during his visit. He referred to her as a “big league” governor and praised the transformative work she has done. He threw shade on other female leaders. He said, “I have a huge issue with the youth, a female governor. These statements have sparked reactions about the sexism inherent in political spaces, which shapes how we perceive and judge leadership.
Whitmer’s spokesperson insisted that the governors look in the place she preferred during the White House shindig. The governor would later recall her time in the Oval Office as dour while perching on the fringes of a no-fixture press conference. One of the biggest criticisms from observers was that during a photo op, she attempted to cover her face with binders. This action drew an outsize amount of backlash online. Reactions on social media filled with complaints such as, “She sat there meekly while he signed executive orders. Democrats, NOBODY’S GONNA SAVE YOU,” and ideas that a selfie would have spared them such national shaming.
This latest incident comes at a time when Whitmer is still figuring out her place within Michigan’s unique political landscape. For a second time, she insisted that she does not see herself as the head of a parliamentary opposition. “I strongly oppose much of what was proposed, said and done,” she stressed. Her administration has been working hard to separate her image from that now-infamous Oval Office appearance next to Trump.
Whitmer is especially hands on when it comes to communicating with constituents. She touches on the distinct issues that make Michigan special, even among other formerly blue strongholds. Her approach has captured the imagination of many as she builds her case for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.