Gretchen Whitmer Faces Online Backlash for Oval Office Photo Moment

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, viewed as a potential Democratic presidential candidate for 2028, has been subjected to heavy online criticism following a moment during her meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. The incident, which has garnered significant attention, involved Whitmer appearing to hide her face behind a folder.

According to a capture by The New York Times, Whitmer was photographed briefly shielding her face from the cameras with a folder while attending the meeting. This shot soon sparked a flurry of social media reactions.

As the meeting progressed and President Trump spoke to the press, Whitmer eventually lowered the folder. The discussion revolved around federal disaster recovery efforts after a severe ice storm impacted thousands of residents in Michigan. Additionally, the meeting included talks on funding for the Selfridge Air National Guard base, protections for the Great Lakes, and support for the state’s vital automobile industry.

Whitmer was joined by Michigan State House Speaker Matt Hall and various Cabinet secretaries during the meeting, which coincided with Trump’s signing of executive orders. Trump took a moment to praise Whitmer, saying, ‘We’re honored to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, great state of Michigan. And she’s been really done an excellent job. A very good person.’

After the meeting, Whitmer expressed surprise about the unexpected press conference atmosphere. She had anticipated a more private discussion with the president.

The moment of Whitmer covering her face quickly became fodder for online jokes and commentary. One social media user pointed out that her action symbolized the current state of the Democratic Party. Another described her face-shielding maneuver as reminiscent of a toddler’s behavior.

Critics also took the opportunity to revisit moments from Whitmer’s past. Some users suggested that she was embarrassed to be seen next to Trump, contrasting it with a past social media post that had her humorously feeding a Dorito to a podcaster, an act that had previously elicited backlash.

In Washington, Whitmer was originally there to deliver her address titled ‘Build, America, Build,’ where she emphasized the necessity for bipartisan cooperation to support American manufacturing. This marked her second meeting with Trump within a month, highlighting ongoing discussions about tariffs impacting the Michigan economy, which is closely affiliated with the automobile sector reliant on international trade.

In her Wednesday speech, preceding Trump’s announcement to pause tariffs for most nations except China, Whitmer pointed out areas of alignment with Trump on tariffs, although she was critical of their execution. ‘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 stated during her remarks. However, she noted, ‘I’m not against tariffs outright, but it is a blunt tool. You can’t just pull out the tariff hammer to swing at every problem without a clear defined end-goal.’

Whitmer’s perspective provides a stark contrast to many other notable Democratic governors who are also eying a run at the 2028 presidential nomination. Governors like Illinois’ JB Pritzker and California’s Gavin Newsom possess different political environments, and Whitmer’s situation is further complicated by her state’s political divisions. Michigan’s legislature is split, and the state has leaned towards Trump in two of the last three elections.

Despite the backlash, Whitmer continues her efforts to navigate a complex political landscape, marked by both opportunity and challenge as she engages with national leaders and shapes her public image. The recent Oval Office incident is just one moment in her ongoing political journey.

As her appearance in Washington unfolds and she outlines her vision for Michigan and the nation, observers will be keenly watching how moments like these may affect her standing as a potential presidential contender.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.