Michigan Governor’s Hug With Trump Could Hurt 2028 Run: Dem Strategists

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is erstwhile again successful nan nationalist spotlight. The Michigan Democrat, who was photographed earlier this period covering her look pinch a binder successful nan Oval Office, was seen successful what appeared to beryllium a hug pinch President Donald Trump arsenic he arrived successful Michigan to people his 100th time successful office.

The infinitesimal made headlines crossed left-leaning media outlets.

• The Associated Press: “About that hug … Whitmer risks backlash from Democrats arsenic she embraces Trump successful Michigan.”
• USA Today: “‘A hug?!?’ Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s optics pinch Trump could costs her successful 2028.”
• The Washington Post: “Whitmer conscionable sewage what she wanted from Trump. But she’s making a risky bet.”
  

Democratic strategists pass of 2028 backlash

Some strategists interviewed by these outlets person noted that Whitmer is simply a imaginable 2028 statesmanlike campaigner for nan Democratic Party. Some outlets suggested that nan ocular of her greeting Trump arsenic he stepped disconnected Air Force One could harm her chances.

“Nationally, you could position this arsenic beautiful damaging,” Michigan-based Democratic strategist Adrian Hemond said to The Washington Post. “Obviously nan photos, nan optics coming retired of this meeting, weren’t great.”

Trump praises Whitmer during combatant pitchy finance announcement

President Trump traveled to Michigan not only to observe his 100 days successful agency but to denote a caller combatant pitchy ngo astatine Selfridge National Guard Base adjacent Detroit—an thought nan president credited to Whitmer.

Trump said nan jets would boost Michigan’s system and called nan improvement a “big win” for nan politician and nan state. He besides acknowledged nan bipartisan effort down nan scheme and admitted that his determination to praise Whitmer publically mightiness beryllium criticized by his ain statement arsenic well.

“So I want to convey Governor Gretchen Whitmer for bringing it besides to our attraction very strongly,” Trump said. “And you cognize I’m not expected to do that. She’s a Democrat. They say, ‘Don’t do that, don’t person her here.’ I said, ‘No, she’s going to beryllium here. She’s done a very bully job.’”

Whitmer expresses gratitude for subject finance successful Michigan

Whitmer besides addressed nan crowd, thanking subject members and nan Trump management for nan investment.

“Well, I hadn’t planned to speak, but connected behalf of each nan subject men and women who service our state and service truthful honorably connected behalf of nan authorities of Michigan, I americium really damn happy we’re present to observe this recapitalization astatine Selfridge,” she said.

Governor responds to ‘hug’ controversy

When asked by The Detroit Press astir nan greeting and shared shape pinch Trump, Whitmer responded:

“It’s truthful funny that group are like, ‘Oh, they were hugging.’ He leaned successful and he said, ‘You know, we’re present because of nan activity that you did,’ and I thought that was really bully of him to say. And truthful he conscionable leaned successful and said that arsenic I shook his hand. That was all.”

In a connection to nan Associated Press, she added:

“I had to beryllium location because this was a big, important point for nan authorities of Michigan. Now, he is going to spell disconnected to nan rally and opportunity a batch of things I disagree with, that I’ll conflict against, and that’s fine, but, you know, my occupation is to do everything I tin for nan group of Michigan.”

Whitmer explains binder infinitesimal successful Oval Office

Whitmer besides responded to different infinitesimal gaining attention—an image first shared by The New York Times, showing her successful nan Oval Office arsenic Trump signed executive orders, pinch her look hidden. Her agency later clarified that she had nary relation pinch nan executive actions and was location solely to advocator for nan Selfridge investment, a constituent Trump besides mentioned.

“For decades, they’ve been trying to prevention this facility,” Trump said. “That’s nan logic she came to spot me, by nan way, to prevention Selfridge.”

In consequence to nan viral photograph of her covering her look pinch a binder during nan Oval Office visit, Whitmer explained her actions during an question and reply astatine nan Detroit Economic Club:

“Someone asked me, ‘What was going done your mind astatine that moment?’ and ‘I don’t want my photograph taken.’ That’s each it was. I wish I hadn’t put my files up successful beforehand of my face, but whatever. I was there; I wrote a book astir learning to laughter astatine yourself, and I’m beautiful bully astatine it. We each person our moments.”

No clear Democratic front-runner for 2028

Currently, location is nary clear Democratic front-runner for nan 2028 election. However, The Hill ranks Whitmer arsenic nan 3rd most apt campaigner for nan nomination, down Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has besides led caller polls asking Democrats who champion represents their party.