Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer made an unplanned splash at the White House on Wednesday, joining a bipartisan delegation to address a range of pressing state issues from recovery efforts after a recent ice storm to securing funding for an Air National Guard base and discussing tariffs.
But she walked away with an unexpected twist: praise from Donald Trump.
During a brief appearance in the Oval Office, Trump publicly commended Whitmer, catching her and her team off guard.
“We’re honored to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, great state of Michigan, and she’s been, she’s really done an excellent job, very good person,” Trump said, as Whitmer stood silently in the back of the room.
According to a spokesperson, the governor had no prior notice she would be brought into the Oval Office or that Trump would be signing executive orders before the press.
The moment marked a stark contrast from their past interactions. Four years ago, Trump repeatedly criticized Whitmer, referring to her dismissively as “the woman in Michigan.” Now, as she navigates the responsibilities of leading a key swing state — and eyes a potential 2028 presidential run — the unexpected praise highlights the political balancing act she faces.
Democrats are under mounting pressure from their base, with voters demanding bolder leadership and a tougher stance against the Trump administration. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer recently faced calls to resign after backing a Republican-led funding bill, fueling frustration among progressives.
At the same time, a new wave of younger challengers has emerged, launching primary campaigns against incumbent Democrats they believe are falling short. Even Governor Gretchen Whitmer wasn’t spared, drawing sharp online backlash from fellow Democrats for her presence in the Oval Office as Trump signed executive orders.
A spokesperson for Governor Gretchen Whitmer clarified that her presence in the Oval Office did not signal support for anything former President Trump said or did during the event.
Whitmer’s careful political posture reflects the unique dynamics of her state — one Trump carried in both 2016 and 2024. With Republicans reclaiming control of the Michigan House last November, Democrats can no longer govern unilaterally, making bipartisan cooperation essential. Whitmer was joined at the White House by Republican House Speaker Matt Hall, underscoring that reality.
While many Democrats slammed Trump’s newly announced tariffs, Whitmer struck a more moderate tone. Her office welcomed the administration’s 90-day pause on most of the measures as “a step in the right direction,” though she remained concerned about their impact on American automakers. That measured stance mirrors the split in her own state, where manufacturers oppose tariffs but some union workers support them.
In Washington, Whitmer acknowledged the balancing act she’s had to maintain, particularly on trade policy. “I understand the motivation behind the tariffs, and I can tell you here’s where President Trump and I do agree: We do need to make more stuff in America,” she said during a fireside chat with journalist Gretchen Carlson.
She emphasized that tariffs should be used strategically and called for bipartisan cooperation to realize what Trump has described as a “Golden Age of American manufacturing.”
Whitmer has repeatedly resisted being labeled a “resistance” figure. In an interview with the Associated Press earlier this year, she noted the challenges of governing a politically mixed state: “I’ve got a majority-Republican House now to work with. I’ve got to deliver, and that means working with the federal government.”
She also acknowledged the scrutiny she faces from her own party. “No action comes without loud criticism from one realm or another,” Whitmer said. “I could demonstrate on the Capitol lawn for four weeks and some would still say I didn’t go far enough. You just have to accept there will always be critics.
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