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| (NY Times photo) |
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer faced online mockery after a viral photo showed her holding blue folders in front of her face during an unexpected Oval Office appearance on April 9, 2025.
Whitmer, a Democrat, was in Washington, D.C., to discuss state issues like ice storm relief, tariffs, and funding for an Air National Guard base with President Donald Trump. She expected a private meeting, but Trump’s aides brought her into a press event where he signed executive orders, including controversial ones targeting former officials over 2020 election claims.
The New York Times captured Whitmer standing awkwardly, appearing to shield herself from cameras, prompting social media jabs. Critics on X called it “childish” or a “perfect metaphor for the Democratic Party,” with some saying it hurt her rumored 2028 presidential prospects. One user likened her to a toddler hiding, while another referenced her quirky Doritos campaign video to question her embarrassment. Supporters argued she was caught off-guard, noting her team’s claim she had no prior notice of the press event.
The incident sparked debate about Democratic governors navigating Trump’s administration. Some saw Whitmer as played for optics, with one Democratic operative calling it a “f---ing disaster” that dented her swing-state savvy. Others defended her, arguing she prioritized state interests over party resistance, a tightrope she’s walked since writing Trump a conciliatory letter post-inauguration. The photo, while embarrassing to some, reflects the broader challenge of bipartisan cooperation in a polarized climate.
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