At least she didn’t hide behind a folder…
President Donald Trump surprised Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer by inviting her on stage during his rally Tuesday night celebrating 100 days in office.
Trump was addressing service members at Selfridge Air National Guard Base northeast of Detroit when he unexpectedly singled out Whitmer.
“I want to thank Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer,” the president began. “You know, I’m not supposed to do that. She’s a Democrat. They say, ‘Don’t do that, don’t have her here.’ I said, ‘No, she’s going to be here … she’s done a very good job.’”
“For decades, they’ve been trying to save this facility,” Trump also said, “including your governor, who has done a very good job. She came to see me. That’s the reason she came to see me, by the way, to save Selfridge. She was very effective.”
Trump then invited Whitmer on stage for brief remarks.
Whitmer said she “hadn’t planned to speak.”
“Well, I hadn’t planned to speak,” Whitmer began, “but on behalf of all the military men and women who serve our country — and serve so honorably on behalf of the state of Michigan — I am really damn happy we’re here to celebrate this recapitalization.”
Watch the clip below:
🚨 LMAO!! Trump just HUMILIATED Gretchen Whitmer by impromptu calling her up to speak at his Michigan speech in front of the National Guard.
"Well, I hadn't planned to speak…"
You KNOW her rabid Democrat base is furious with her for this appearance.pic.twitter.com/1bVPikdION
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 29, 2025
From The New York Post:
It was the second time in recent weeks that Whitmer had been caught in an uncomfortable position near the president.
Earlier this month, the governor hid her face behind a stack of binders rather than show it to photographers in the Oval Office, where she was waiting for Trump to meet with her to discuss the future of the air base.
Whitmer was roundly mocked by members of her own party after a photo of her playing peek-a-boo was published by the New York Times — and later admitted she regretted trying to duck the cameras.
Whitmer did not attend a rally later Tuesday in Warren, roughly 20 miles north of Detroit.
Whitmer, 53, had been a contender for the vice presidential slot alongside then-candidate Joe Biden in 2020 — but was passed over for then-California Sen. Kamala Harris.
More over at The New York Post:
Trump calls Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer onstage for awkward cameo at military event https://t.co/Jde3oXrP7d pic.twitter.com/OCoqSvaPB2
— New York Post (@nypost) April 29, 2025