Whitmer shields face with folder during Trump Oval Office meeting
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, faced online criticism for seemingly hiding her face during a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The incident occurred as Whitmer shielded her face with a folder while cameras were present, according to a photo by the New York Times. However, she later lowered the folder as the president addressed the press and encouraged her to comment on the matters discussed during the meeting.
The meeting between Whitmer and Trump centered around the recovery efforts following an ice storm that affected thousands of Michiganders, funding for the Selfridge Air National Guard base near Detroit, protections for the Great Lakes, and support for the automobile industry. Whitmer, who has had contentious interactions with Trump in the past regarding her COVID-19 lockdown policies, stood alongside Michigan State House Speaker Matt Hall and several Cabinet secretaries during the meeting.
President Trump praised Whitmer for her leadership in Michigan, stating that she has done an excellent job and is a very good person. Whitmer later expressed surprise at the impromptu press conference in the Oval Office, where Trump signed executive orders. The moment when Whitmer shielded her face from cameras drew criticism online, with some users mocking the gesture as a metaphor for the Democratic Party.
Despite the online ridicule, Whitmer remained focused on the issues at hand during her visit to Washington. She delivered a speech advocating for bipartisan cooperation to strengthen American manufacturing, emphasizing the need to produce more goods domestically. Whitmer acknowledged areas of agreement with Trump on tariffs but criticized the implementation of such measures, calling them a blunt tool that should not be used indiscriminately.
Whitmer’s approach to the tariffs issue sets her apart from other Democratic governors who are also considered potential presidential candidates. While she faces a challenging political landscape in Michigan, a state with a divided legislature that has supported Trump in previous elections, Whitmer remains committed to addressing key issues affecting her state and the nation as a whole.
In conclusion, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s meeting with President Trump in the Oval Office may have sparked online criticism, but her focus on important policy matters and bipartisan cooperation showcases her commitment to serving the people of Michigan and potentially aspiring to higher office in the future.
