Michigan governor’s hug with Trump could hurt 2028 run: Dem strategists
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is once again in the national spotlight. The Michigan Democrat, who was photographed earlier this month covering her face with a binder in the Oval Office, was seen in what appeared to be a hug with President Donald Trump as he arrived in Michigan to mark his 100th day in office.
The moment made headlines across left-leaning media outlets.
- The Associated Press: “About that hug … Whitmer risks backlash from Democrats as she embraces Trump in Michigan.”
- USA Today: “‘A hug?!?’ Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s optics with Trump could cost her in 2028.”
- The Washington Post: “Whitmer just got what she wanted from Trump. But she’s making a risky bet.”
Democratic strategists warn of 2028 backlash
Some strategists interviewed by these outlets have noted that Whitmer is a potential 2028 presidential candidate for the Democratic Party. Some outlets suggested that the visual of her greeting Trump as he stepped off Air Force One could damage her chances.
“Nationally, you could view this as pretty damaging,” Michigan-based Democratic strategist Adrian Hemond said to The Washington Post. “Obviously the photos, the optics coming out of this meeting, weren’t great.”
Trump praises Whitmer during fighter jet investment announcement
President Trump traveled to Michigan not only to celebrate his 100 days in office but to announce a new fighter jet mission at Selfridge National Guard Base near Detroit—an idea the president credited to Whitmer.
Trump said the jets would boost Michigan’s economy and called the development a “big win” for the governor and the state. He also acknowledged the bipartisan effort behind the plan and admitted that his decision to praise Whitmer publicly might be criticized by his own party as well.
“So I want to thank Governor Gretchen Whitmer for bringing it also to our attention very strongly,” Trump said. “And 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.'”
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In 2022, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer won reelection, defeating her Republican opponent by nearly 11 percentage points.
Whitmer expresses gratitude for military investment in Michigan
Whitmer also addressed the crowd, thanking military members and the Trump administration for the investment.
“Well, I hadn’t planned to speak, 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 at Selfridge,” she said.
Governor responds to ‘hug’ controversy
When asked by The Detroit Press about the greeting and shared stage with Trump, Whitmer responded:
“It’s so funny that people are like, ‘Oh, they were hugging.’ He leaned in and he said, ‘You know, we’re here because of the work that you did,’ and I thought that was really nice of him to say. And so he just leaned in and said that as I shook his hand. That was all.”
In a statement to the Associated Press, she added:
“I had to be there because this was a big, important thing for the state of Michigan. Now, he is going to go off to the rally and say a lot of things I disagree with, that I’ll fight against, and that’s fine, but, you know, my job is to do everything I can for the people of Michigan.”
Whitmer explains binder moment in Oval Office
Whitmer also responded to another moment gaining attention—an image first shared by The New York Times, showing her in the Oval Office as Trump signed executive orders, with her face hidden. Her office later clarified that she had no association with the executive actions and was there solely to advocate for the Selfridge investment, a point Trump also mentioned.
“For decades, they’ve been trying to save this facility,” Trump said. “That’s the reason she came to see me, by the way, to save Selfridge.”
In response to the viral photo of her covering her face with a binder during the Oval Office visit, Whitmer explained her actions during an interview at the Detroit Economic Club:
“Someone asked me, ‘What was going through your mind at that moment?’ and ‘I don’t want my photo taken.’ That’s all it was. I wish I hadn’t put my folder up in front of my face, but whatever. I was there; I wrote a book about learning to laugh at yourself, and I’m pretty good at it. We all have our moments.”
No clear Democratic front-runner for 2028
Currently, there is no clear Democratic front-runner for the 2028 election. However, The Hill ranks Whitmer as the third most likely candidate for the nomination, behind Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has also led recent polls asking Democrats who best represents their party.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
