'This is why Dems lose': Gretchen Whitmer faces backlash for hugging Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump is greeted by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, as he arrives at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, Michigan, U.S., April 29, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
As Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) attempts to find common ground with President Donald Trump, she expects political backlash.
Whitmer, who may run for president in 2028, embraced Trump when he arrived in her state on Tuesday.Such a greeting between the president and governors is not unusual. However, given that the governor tried to distance herself from a recent Oval Office appearance alongside Trump and got photographed while blocking her face with binders, this embrace has led to criticism.
Democrats are urging their leaders to adopt a more assertive stance toward the president.
“My job is to do the right thing for the people of Michigan,” she told The Associated Press following her appearance with the president on Tuesday. “I’m not thinking about anything beyond that, and I know it’s hard for people to get their head around.”
Describing Tuesday's interaction, she said the president “shook hands and he leaned in to tell me, you know, congratulations and that I was a big reason that we were making an announcement today, and I was grateful for that.”
Trump visited Michigan to celebrate his 100th day in office with an evening rally, following an earlier announcement alongside Whitmer about a new fighter jet operation at a National Guard facility near Detroit.
“I had to be there because this was a big, important thing for the state of Michigan,” she added. “Now, he is going to go off to the rally and say a lot of things I disagree with, that I’ll fight against, and that’s fine, but, you know, my job is to do everything I can for the people of Michigan.”
Meanwhile, she faced criticism for appearing friendly with the president during this encounter.
Political analyst Mehdi Hasan wrote on the social platform X, "Far right extremists tried to kidnap Whitmer. Trump himself later suggested it was a fake plot and mocked it. He called her ‘that woman in Michigan’ and led a crowd that chanted ‘lock her up.’ Today Whitmer hugged him on the tarmac. This is why Dems lose."
Writer Peter Twinklage said: "When do we start to admit she’s just not that good at this? seriously, has Whitmer ever seen a rake she wasn’t tempted to step on?"
Political commentator Tara Setmayer wrote: "It hurts my heart to say this, but Whitmer is disqualifying herself at this point. WHAT IS SHE DOING??????"
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