<p>Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had nowhere to hide when President Donald Trump called her to the podium to address National Guardsmen in Michigan on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Whitmer met Trump at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in southeast Michigan, where the president stopped during his 100 days celebration to announce that the base, which was at risk of shutting down, would receive a new fighter squadron. During his remarks, Trump thanked the governor for her work &#8220;trying to save&#8221; the base, and then asked her to speak.</p>
<p>Whitmer approached the podium and said she &#8220;hadn&#8217;t planned to speak&#8221; at the event.</p>
<p>&#8220;I am really damn happy we&#8217;re here to celebrate this recapitalization at Selfridge,&#8221; she added. &#8220;It&#8217;s crucial for the Michigan economy, it&#8217;s crucial for the men and women here, for our homeland security, and our future.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;So thank you,&#8221; Whitmer said, looking back at Trump. &#8220;I am so grateful that this announcement was made today, and I appreciate all the work.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Whitmer: I had not planned to speak but… https://t.co/35mCWzkywY</p>
<p>&mdash; Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1917320346950328502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Whitmer&#8217;s appearance at the Trump event followed her trip to the Oval Office earlier this month, where she was photographed while appearing to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gretchen-whitmer-mocked-for-trying-to-hide-her-face-from-cameras-in-oval-office?author=Virginia+Kruta&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Gretchen+Whitmer+Mocked+For+Trying+To+Hide+Her+Face+From+Cameras+In+Oval+Office" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hide her face</a> with a binder. She later said she <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whitmer-responds-to-folder-gate-after-shes-caught-hiding-from-white-house-camera" target="_blank" rel="noopener">regretted</a> putting her folder in front of her face and laughed about the embarrassing photo, adding, &#8220;We all have our moments.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gretchen Whitmer temporarily shielded herself from the cameras when she was in Trump’s Oval Office, per this photo from NYT’s <a href="https://twitter.com/erjlee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@erjlee</a><a href="https://t.co/TFDPPnci7Q">https://t.co/TFDPPnci7Q</a> <a href="https://t.co/hnLnvuQvlX">pic.twitter.com/hnLnvuQvlX</a></p>
<p>&mdash; bryan metzger (@metzgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/metzgov/status/1911078950865903648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Michigan governor, who has been a fierce critic of Trump and Republicans, received some kind words from the president, who said that &#8220;the reason she came&#8221; to the White House was to try to save Selfridge.</p>
<p>&#8220;She was very effective, along with some of the other politicians and some of the military people who love this place,&#8221; Trump added. &#8220;So I want to also thank Governor Gretchen Whitmer for bringing it to our attention very strongly. And you know, I&#8217;m not supposed to do that. She&#8217;s a Democrat. They&#8217;d say, &#8216;Don&#8217;t do that, don&#8217;t have her here.&#8217; No, she&#8217;s going to be here. She&#8217;s done a very good job, frankly.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> addresses Selfridge Air National Guard Base: &quot;For decades, they&#39;ve been trying to save this facility&#8230; I want to thank <a href="https://twitter.com/GovWhitmer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovWhitmer</a> for bringing it also to our attention very strongly&#8230; She was very much involved with the Republicans. They worked together on saving it.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/TcQ3HxXN8E">pic.twitter.com/TcQ3HxXN8E</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1917318771754041825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Whitmer, a potential 2028 presidential contender, was criticized by some on the Left for embracing Trump when he arrived at the base. She took to social media to explain her actions and appearance at the Trump event, writing, &#8220;Bipartisanship isn&#8217;t about sacrificing our values.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll work with anyone who&#8217;s serious about getting things done. But I&#8217;ll never compromise on what I believe. In Michigan, we know how to get things done—and that means working together,&#8221; Whitmer <a href="https://x.com/GovWhitmer/status/1917250428464415062" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> on X.</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll work with anyone to move our state forward. But let me be clear: I will never back down from protecting our fundamental rights, defending our democracy, or fighting for every Michigander&#8217;s future,&#8221; she added. &#8220;Bipartisanship isn&#8217;t about sacrificing our values. It&#8217;s about standing strong and finding common ground to get things done. It&#8217;s about putting people first, every single time.&#8221;</p>


Donald Trump

Trump Makes Whitmer Show Her Face At Michigan Event

Executive

Gretchen Whitmer

Michigan

National Guard

Politics

<p>Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has waited over three months to call a special election for a vacant state legislature seat, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents without representation, but ensuring her party&#8217;s slim control over the legislature.</p>
<p>Whitmer&#8217;s delay is being blasted by Michigan Republicans as a political trick to keep the GOP from gaining a seat in the state senate. The district&#8217;s previous state senator, Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet, was elected to the U.S. House in November. With the vacancy, Democrats maintain a one seat majority in the body, 19-18.</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s all politics,&#8221; Republican Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt said in an interview with The Daily Wire. He argued that Whitmer is delaying the special election because Republicans have a shot at winning the seat.  The 35th state Senate District is a competitive electoral region that encompasses Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw.</p>
<p>&#8220;Right now, there are 270,000 people who have gone without a senator for going on four months now,&#8221; said Nesbitt, who is running for Michigan governor in 2026. &#8220;And who knows how much longer Whitmer is going to deprive them of representation.&#8221;</p>
<p>Whitmer, who has been the target of criticism after she was photographed hiding from cameras in the White House, has addressed the delay, but she hasn&#8217;t given any specifics on when she will officially schedule the election. The governor told <a href="https://radio.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-04-08/whitmer-confirms-35th-district-special-election-will-happen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WCMU</a> last week, &#8220;At some point there will be one, but I don&#8217;t have an announcement to make yet.&#8221;</p>
<p>“I haven&#8217;t made a determination yet,” she added. “There are a number of times in the year that we could call it for, and I just haven&#8217;t made a decision yet, but I&#8217;ll let you know as soon as, as soon as I do.”</p>
<p>The governor&#8217;s office did not respond to The Daily Wire when asked if Whitmer was planning on announcing a special election date soon. Michigan <a href="https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-168-641" target="_blank" rel="noopener">law</a> leaves the scheduling of special elections to fill vacancies completely up to the governor, and there is no deadline for how soon a special election must be called.</p>
<p>Republicans suspect that Whitmer&#8217;s political calculations are likely the reason for the delayed special election. Whitmer is in the final year and a half of her second term, a stretch that could prove pivotal for the Democrat&#8217;s legacy and future political aspirations. Keeping Democrats ahead of Republicans by one seat for as long as possible could be a preferable option for the governor instead of risking a GOP pickup in a special election.</p>
<p>&#8220;You gotta remember, a year and a half ago — November of 2023 — Whitmer <a href="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2023/11/22/whitmer-calls-for-special-election-to-fill-vacant-house-seats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> a special election for two state House Democrat seats within two weeks after the November municipal elections, when the House got tied 54-54,&#8221; Nesbitt added.</p>
<p>Republicans are confident that they can pull off a win in the 35th District, relying on the momentum gained by President Donald Trump in 2024, who won Saginaw, Bay, and Midland Counties. Michigan Republicans also took control of the state House in the 2024 election.</p>
<p>Republican state Rep. Bill Schuette, who represents all of Midland County, told The Daily Wire that Whitmer&#8217;s delay &#8220;is a disservice to the people of the entire region,&#8221; adding that holding a special election as soon as possible shouldn&#8217;t be a partisan issue.</p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s about representation,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve heard from small businesses and people in our community as well who are seeing our budget being debated, and they say, &#8216;Hey, we only have half of a voice when our state&#8217;s multi-billion-dollar budget is being debated,&#8221; Schuette added. &#8220;That&#8217;s not fair.&#8221;</p>
<p>Whitmer has been blasted for focusing on her recent book tour and potential 2028 presidential aspirations while still serving as governor. The governor was the subject of ridicule last week when she visited Trump in the Oval Office but hid her face behind a folder as members of the media attempted to snap photos of her.</p>
<p>&#8220;Her most recent comment about the special election is she hasn&#8217;t had time to make a decision yet. Well, you know what she has had time to do? Go on trips to the United Kingdom and Ireland and Spain,&#8221; Schuette said. &#8220;We all saw her hiding her face in the Oval Office. How about doing your job here at home, calling a special election and giving people their voice?&#8221;</p>


‘All Politics’: Michigan’s Whitmer Delays Pivotal Special Election As Dems Hold Slim Majority

'All Politics': Michigan's Whitmer Delays Calling Important Special Election As Dems Barely Hang Ont

2024 Election

Elections

<p>Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) admitted on Monday that she regretted trying to hide from photographers while in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump — particularly after a photo of her holding a folder in front of her face went viral.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gretchen-whitmer-mocked-for-trying-to-hide-her-face-from-cameras-in-oval-office" target="_blank" rel="noopener">photo in question</a> was taken by Eric Lee of The New York Times, and ran with an article detailing the difficult tightrope walk that Whitmer — and other Democrats who were attempting to work hand-in-hand with the Trump administration — had to manage as such cooperation often angered members of their own party.</p>
<p>Whitmer found herself in just such a situation when she traveled to the White House, where what she had expected to be a closed-door meeting with Trump – about funding for an Air National Guard Base and residents who had been devastated by recent storms — turned out to be a public Executive Order signing. Despite her attempts to stay out of the press — or at least the photos — the image of her literally trying to hide her face from the cameras quickly made the rounds.</p>
<p>Whitmer addressed the brouhaha at the Detroit Economic Club on Monday.</p>
<p><strong>WATCH:</strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at the Detroit Economic Club on her meeting with Trump in the Oval Office:</p>
<p>“I kinda wish I hadn’t put my folder up in front of my face but, whatever.” <a href="https://t.co/gENrL8jxZ5">pic.twitter.com/gENrL8jxZ5</a></p>
<p>&mdash; bryan metzger (@metzgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/metzgov/status/1911833942329856415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>&#8220;How was Washington? Did you —?&#8221; the moderator asked, and without a word, Whitmer held up a folder in front of her face. The audience laughed.</p>
<p>Noting that he had watched her speech that same day, the moderator said he felt like she had hit all the right notes. &#8220;Ships, chips, and cars,&#8221; he said, adding that the tone of the media coverage had shifted shortly thereafter.</p>
<p>&#8220;The next morning I woke up and there you are in the paper,&#8221; he punctuated that last statement by holding a paper in front of his face, prompting more laughs. &#8220;Beautiful picture of you.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Someone asked me, &#8216;What was going through your mind at that moment?&#8217; and it was, &#8216;I don&#8217;t want my picture taken,'&#8221; Whitmer said, laughing off the viral image. &#8220;That’s all it was. I kind of wish I hadn’t put my folder up in front of my face, but whatever. You know, I was there. I mean, I just wrote a book about learning to laugh at yourself, so I’m — I&#8217;m pretty good at it. And we all make, you know, we all have our moments.&#8221;</p>


Trump Signs Order To Revive US Shipbuilding, DOGE Review Of Navy

Whitmer Responds To Folder-Gate After She’s Caught Hiding From White House Camera

Media

White House

<p>Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) took a virtual beating on Saturday as The New York Times published a new photo of her in the Oval Office, literally trying to hide from cameras by holding a folder in front of her face.</p>
<p>Whitmer was at the White House to meet with President Donald Trump about relief funding for Michigan residents who had been devastated by recent ice storms and funding for a Detroit-area Air National Guard base — but instead of a private meeting with the president, she was ushered into an Oval Office full of reporters and cameras while the president was signing executive orders.</p>
<p>NYT photographer Eric Lee captured one shot of Whitmer as she literally hid her face from the cameras — and that photo top-lined a piece detailing the risks she runs as a Democratic governor who is seen daring to cooperate with President Trump.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/12/us/politics/gretchen-whitmer-trump-democrats.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article&#8217;s headline</a> read, &#8220;Whitmer Shows How Democrats Are Playing With Fire in Cozying Up to Trump&#8221; — and the sub-headline doubled down: &#8220;The Michigan governor’s awkward Oval Office appearance reflected how several Democratic state leaders are cultivating cordial but politically risky relationships with the president.&#8221;</p>
<p>The article went on to note that Whitmer, despite her obvious differences with Trump, had sent him a letter just after his inauguration. In that letter, according to the NYT, Whitmer expressed her desire to work with the White House and thanked him for his support of the American auto industry.</p>
<p>But it was the photo of a clearly uncomfortable Whitmer, hiding behind her folder, that went viral.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gretchen Whitmer temporarily shielded herself from the cameras when she was in Trump’s Oval Office, per this photo from NYT’s <a href="https://twitter.com/erjlee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@erjlee</a><a href="https://t.co/TFDPPnci7Q">https://t.co/TFDPPnci7Q</a> <a href="https://t.co/hnLnvuQvlX">pic.twitter.com/hnLnvuQvlX</a></p>
<p>&mdash; bryan metzger (@metzgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/metzgov/status/1911078950865903648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>&#8220;This is so much worse than if she just let her photo be taken,&#8221; Abigail Jackson posted.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is so much worse than if she just let her photo be taken 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/RoWz6Bl2Xw">pic.twitter.com/RoWz6Bl2Xw</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Abigail Jackson 🇺🇸 (@abigailmarone) <a href="https://twitter.com/abigailmarone/status/1911139074619908268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>&#8220;If it’s true that Whitmer was expecting a private meeting and trying to hide that she was at the White House, and President Trump brought her out to the press, that is an absolutely EPIC troll,&#8221; she added later.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If it’s true that Whitmer was expecting a private meeting and trying to hide that she was at the White House, and President Trump brought her out to the press, that is an absolutely EPIC troll 🤣🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/Kcxz6fs8yz">pic.twitter.com/Kcxz6fs8yz</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Abigail Jackson 🇺🇸 (@abigailmarone) <a href="https://twitter.com/abigailmarone/status/1911152925918757134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>&#8220;Gary Hart’s monkey business[,] Dukakis in a tank[,] The Dean scream[.] All scandals/embarrassing flubs that likely ended the careers of presidential hopefuls. And now… there’s this,&#8221; another posted, suggesting that the inopportune photo had effectively ended any chance Whitmer had at mounting a presidential campaign in 2028.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gary Hart’s monkey business <br />Dukakis in a tank <br />The Dean scream </p>
<p>All scandals/embarrassing flubs that likely ended the careers of presidential hopefuls.</p>
<p>And now… there’s this: <a href="https://t.co/gH9eM0hgzk">pic.twitter.com/gH9eM0hgzk</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Politics &amp; Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) <a href="https://twitter.com/PollTracker2024/status/1911155634420039952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t personally care that Whitmer was at the White House. Sometimes that&#8217;s just the job,&#8221; Democratic strategist Max Burns <a href="https://x.com/themaxburns/status/1911093951173435578" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a>. &#8220;What I don&#8217;t respect is trying to hide from cameras in a room with no corners. Have the courage to be uncomfortable.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Actual photo of Whitmer in the Oval Office ⬇️🤣🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/9GOToFhvkU">https://t.co/9GOToFhvkU</a> <a href="https://t.co/QzPnes86OS">pic.twitter.com/QzPnes86OS</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Sweet Home Michigan (@sweethomemich) <a href="https://twitter.com/sweethomemich/status/1911079236401598742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>


President Trump Signs New Executive Orders At The White House

Gretchen Whitmer Mocked For Trying To Hide Her Face From Cameras In Oval Office

Gretchen Whitmer Mocked For Trying To Hide Her Face From Cameras In The Oval Office

New York Times

<p><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/michigan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michigan</a> Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson made her run for governor official on Wednesday after she accidentally posted a 2026 campaign announcement on Tuesday night and quickly took it down.</p>
<p>The 2026 governor&#8217;s race in Michigan promises to be extremely competitive as current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited. Benson, who has served in her position since 2019, took shots at President Donald Trump and Elon Musk in her announcement video.</p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve spent my life standing up to powerful interests and bullies, and I&#8217;ll keep standing up to any bullies or billionaires who try to deceive us, divide us, take away our rights, or deny anyone the opportunity to get a fair shot,&#8221; Benson said as her video showed clips of Trump and Musk. &#8220;I&#8217;m running for governor to truly make government work for everyone.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’m running to be Governor of Michigan to ensure everyone gets a fair shot.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m a mom, military spouse, educator — and Michigan’s Secretary of State.</p>
<p>I’ve never backed down from a tough fight or hard work. And I know together we can build the future Michiganders deserve. <a href="https://t.co/v0EMMffwFX">pic.twitter.com/v0EMMffwFX</a></p>
<p>— Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) <a href="https://twitter.com/JocelynBenson/status/1882024319368237538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Benson accidentally announced her run for governor in a post on X on Tuesday night and quickly deleted it.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Michigan Secretary Of State Jocelyn Benson accidentally announces then quickly deletes a post acknowledging her 2026 run for governor. <a href="https://t.co/VLhLfx5Q7L">pic.twitter.com/VLhLfx5Q7L</a></p>
<p>— Jordyn Hermani (🔈: &#8220;HermanE”) (@JordynHermani) <a href="https://twitter.com/JordynHermani/status/1881862592056176768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>She was also <a href="https://x.com/CharetteForMI/status/1882158680994701359" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criticized</a> for publicly announcing her run for governor on Wednesday in a government building in Lansing, a move that some argue violates a Michigan <a href="https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-169-257" target="_blank" rel="noopener">state law</a> prohibiting &#8220;a person acting for a public body&#8221; from using &#8220;funds, personnel, office space, computer hardware or software, property, stationery, postage, vehicles, equipment, supplies, or other public resources to make a contribution or expenditure or provide volunteer personal services.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?_gl=1*1lail3r*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MzIyMDEyNDkuQ2owS0NRaUEwZnU1QmhEUUFSSXNBTVhVQk9JSkM0VnNsMFVreURxYXUxVWVEVWdOdjZkNzR2Y1pEeEZQeHVBcGl2R3BLaTdBMjVzT1p5TWFBdG1nRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*NDUxNDQ0NzYwLjE3MzY3ODI2NDY.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczNjk1NzYwMy4zNDAuMS4xNzM2OTU3NzE2LjYwLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?_gl%3D1*1lail3r*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MzIyMDEyNDkuQ2owS0NRaUEwZnU1QmhEUUFSSXNBTVhVQk9JSkM0VnNsMFVreURxYXUxVWVEVWdOdjZkNzR2Y1pEeEZQeHVBcGl2R3BLaTdBMjVzT1p5TWFBdG1nRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*NDUxNDQ0NzYwLjE3MzY3ODI2NDY.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczNjk1NzYwMy4zNDAuMS4xNzM2OTU3NzE2LjYwLjAuMA..&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1737044212122000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3mp2MZNwEXBk00lKmCtOss"><b>CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT</b></a></p>
<p>During her time in office, Benson has been repeatedly rebuffed by courts for attempting to create new rules for poll watchers without going through the proper process. Benson was also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rnc-sues-mi-dem-secretary-of-state-over-guidance-for-absentee-ballots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">challenged</a> by the Republican National Committee in the months leading up to the 2024 presidential election for allegedly issuing guidance contradictory to Michigan law regarding absentee ballots.</p>
<p>Benson is the first Democrat to officially announce her bid for governor. Michigan Republican Senate Minority Leader <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/first-republican-throws-hat-in-the-ring-for-2026-michigan-governors-race" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aric Nesbitt</a> was the first Republican to throw his hat in the ring for the 2026 race earlier this month, and former Detroit Democratic Mayor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/detroit-dem-mayor-announces-run-for-michigan-governor-as-independent" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike Duggan</a> announced that he was running for governor as an independent in early December.</p>
<p>Benson will likely face multiple candidates in the Democratic primary. Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel have been floated as potential candidates running for the governor&#8217;s mansion on the Democratic side.</p>


Jocelyn Benson

Michigan Dem Secretary Of State Launches Bid For Governor Hours After Accidental Announcement

Democratic Party

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Joe Biden has left the building, but Bidenflation has not completely abated. A lot of us are still feeling the inflationary pain at the grocery store. Eggs, for example, went up a whopping 37%. To be fair, this was mostly due to negative supply shocks driving up the actual cost of producing eggs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That sticker shock was recently compounded by a new “cage-free” law that </span><a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/12/18/michigan-cage-free-eggs-new-law-impact-prices/76966711007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">officially went into effect</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> here in Michigan on January 1, 2025. Farms with more than 3,000 egg layers can no longer confine their chickens in cages, but must give them room to “</span><a href="https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/food-dairy/foodlaw/cage-free-egg-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">roam unrestricted in indoor environments</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The large egg producers that supply grocery stores have had to take a giant step backwards and rebuild their egg operations at a significantly higher cost structure. On top of that, according to the USDA, bird flu recently killed off over </span><a href="https://www.unmc.edu/healthsecurity/transmission/2025/01/14/u-s-egg-industry-sees-record-chicken-deaths-from-bird-flu-outbreak/#:~:text=More%20than%2020%20million%20egg,supply%20since%20the%20outbreak%20began." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">20 million hens</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The combination of bird flu and cage-free mandates have pushed egg prices to all-time highs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m not here to complain about egg prices, though. Bird flu outbreaks are terrible bad luck, but chicken flocks will recover. Farmers will adapt to the cage-free mandates and the price of eggs will subside.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The egg crisis, however, did reveal a grotesque contradiction in our public policy: In Michigan, chickens now have more legal protections than some humans. I’m talking about unborn babies, who can be killed through all nine months of pregnancy in this state, and in a quite inhumane manner, might I add. This is thanks to some of the most radically pro-abortion policies in the country, enacted in recent years under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s leadership. Michigan voters ensconced a right to “reproductive freedom” into our state constitution in the 2022 election, which led to the repeal of nearly all abortion restrictions by the state legislature during 2023. According to the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, Michigan now ranks as </span><a href="https://states.guttmacher.org/policies/michigan/abortion-policies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“very protective” of so-called abortion rights.</span></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ironically, just after signing the bills that repealed abortion restrictions, Governor Whitmer established the </span><a href="https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2023/06/01/whitmer-establishes-the-growing-michigan-together-council-to-focus-on-population-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Growing Michigan Together Council”</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to “develop a statewide strategy aimed at making Michigan a place everyone wants to call home by attracting and retaining talent, improving education throughout the state, upgrading and modernizing our transportation and water infrastructure to meet 21st century needs, and continuing Michigan’s economic momentum.” Michigan, you see, ranks 49</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">th</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in population growth, and even leftists realize that’s not good for the economy. So the state formed a commission to come up with comprehensive solutions to get Michigan growing again.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve got one: Let’s stop killing babies.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whitmer and her ilk are right that our near-zero rate of population growth is a major problem with massive social, economic, and political consequences. Conservatives have been tracking </span><a href="https://thefederalist.com/2019/03/27/what-will-be-the-consequences-of-our-plummeting-birth-rate/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">declining trends in fertility</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://thefederalist.com/2019/03/13/dear-david-frum-u-s-population-growth-not-problem-solution/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">population growth</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for years, sounding the alarm about the potential for demographic collapse. Awareness of population decline and its frightening ramifications is finally going mainstream, perhaps thanks to Elon Musk proclaiming that population decline is a much bigger existential problem than climate change. He’s right, of course, and serious people are catching on. Outlets such as the </span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/u-s-deaths-expected-to-outpace-births-within-the-decade-9c949de8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wall Street Journal</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/06/01/global-fertility-has-collapsed-with-profound-economic-consequences?utm_content=section_content&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAnKi8BhB0EiwA58DA4ct5fzkrQ9sKipRa-wCbLWsfKj-iv6AMak4OoGEIlDl9qyJmXdQC8RoC8DkQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Economist</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/19/politics/china-population-us-what-matters/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">even CNN</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are getting wise to the bitter implications of declining birth rates and population collapse.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When people have fewer babies, </span><a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2024/09/picture-this-demographic-decline-andrew-stanley#:~:text=Lower%20birth%20rates%20result%20in,putting%20pressure%20on%20public%20finances." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">everyone is worse off</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Economically, we get a smaller workforce that produces less output, generates less innovation, and results in lower incomes and fewer opportunities. Politically, we get a shrinking tax base that makes it harder for the government to fund and provide public goods like infrastructure, police, and defense. The population pyramid becomes inverted—more old people than young people. Each working-age person is now financially responsible for a larger number of retirees’ government-funded pensions and healthcare, putting even bigger strains on the welfare state. At a personal level, </span><a href="https://cosm.aei.org/who-is-happiest-married-mothers-and-fathers-per-the-latest-general-social-survey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">childless (and typically unmarried) people find themselves increasingly alone and unhappy.</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The disease has advanced so far that we now have a generation of </span><a href="https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/americans-are-having-fewer-babiesso-fewer-people-get-to-be-grandparents-a99b6001?mod=Searchresults_pos17&amp;page=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">older folks lamenting that they’ll never see grandchildren</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several countries are entering a “demographic winter,” with more deaths than births and rapidly falling headcounts. Japan, </span><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/japan-news-population-crisis-3-numbers-1954889" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">whose population has been in freefall since 2009</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, offers a sad and tragic cautionary tale on population decline. </span><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/30/japans-rent-a-family-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Old people rent stand-in grandkids</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In lieu of big supportive families, </span><a href="https://japantoday.com/category/tech/the-rise-of-companion-robots-in-japan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">lonely elders rely on emotional support robots.</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Young people, men, in particular, are </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/20/young-people-japan-stopped-having-sex" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">losing interest in sex</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The trend ends in civilizational annihilation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So how do we prevent Michigan, and the United States, from going down the demographic drain? Birth rates in America have been below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman since around 2008. We’ve been able to make up for declining births with massive immigration, which has kept population growth positive. You may have noticed, though, that large-scale immigration—most of it of the illegal variety — is falling out of favor. With a new administration actually enforcing immigration laws, it’s unlikely that foreigners will continue to make up for our birth dearth.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Policy wonks have all sorts of ideas for incentivizing people to have more kids. Many GOP legislators favor boosting child tax credits. Leftists who acknowledge the problem usually want more government-funded daycare or more generous parental leave. The nonpartisan Growing Michigan Together Council thinks the answer is a better statewide education system and more accessible public transit.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Any of these things might have some benefit at the margin, but interestingly (and sadly) I noticed in the Growing Michigan report exactly zero references to the direct solution: more babies. And there’s a really straightforward policy solution to a huge aspect of that problem, which is to just stop killing them. According to state data, from 1982 to 2023, </span><a href="https://www.mdch.state.mi.us/osr/abortion/Tab_A.asp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Michigan lost 1.3 million children to abortion</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This is surely an undercount since it does not track babies terminated at home via the abortion pill. For the country as a whole, </span><a href="https://www.nrlc.org/uploads/factsheets/FS01AbortionintheUS.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">we’ve lost 63.5 million people to the abortion holocaust</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> since legalization in 1973. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Numerically speaking, abortion is the primary problem when it comes to demographic decline, and it is entirely symptomatic of the root cause of all our problems: We are sacrificing the next generation on the altar of personal freedom, convenience, and hedonism. Too many people view marriage as a spirit-crushing trap and babies — even live ones kicking the womb — as a call option: If you’re not “in the money” with financial success or self-confidence, you can simply let it expire, and toss out that tiny helpless human like last week’s leftovers.</span></p>
<h3><strong><a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?_gl=1*1lail3r*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MzIyMDEyNDkuQ2owS0NRaUEwZnU1QmhEUUFSSXNBTVhVQk9JSkM0VnNsMFVreURxYXUxVWVEVWdOdjZkNzR2Y1pEeEZQeHVBcGl2R3BLaTdBMjVzT1p5TWFBdG1nRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*NDUxNDQ0NzYwLjE3MzY3ODI2NDY.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczNjk1NzYwMy4zNDAuMS4xNzM2OTU3NzE2LjYwLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noopener">CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT</a></strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">No policy tweaks or monetary incentives will change people’s deeply held values about babies, families, marriage, and the meaning of life. Well-meaning members of the Growing Michigan Together Council are completely deaf, dumb, and mute regarding the actual problem here: we are killing babies, and we need to stop. The real problem is spiritual. It’s good vs. evil. It’s in our hearts. Now that killing babies is grotesquely enshrined as a “right” in many states, it’s going to take a huge shift in cultural values to turn the tide. Recommendations for “improving education” here or “increasing incentives” there just aren’t going to cut it — they are putting band-aids on a tumor.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">America needs people. It’s good, right, and proper (and fun) for young men and women to get together, form families, and have kids. We need to return to a basic set of shared cultural values that recognizes and promotes the old normal: get married, have kids, and enjoy the good old family life. Ending abortion would be a huge step towards that shift in values, but it will most likely come as a result, not a cause. While we should keep fighting hard for the unborn and keep seeking legislative wins to protect tiny vulnerable humans, we should also realize that winning hearts and minds will take decades of commitment, personal leadership, and sacrifice. Animal rights activists fought long and hard to enact cage-free laws for the “humane” treatment of chickens — surely we who cherish human life can work even harder to build a culture that protects and values the lives of children, whatever their stage of development.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the meantime, let us lead by example whenever possible. Get married, stay married, and have kids. Go to church, and pray: for your family, your kids, your friends’ kids, etc. Help the people around you as much as you can, especially with unplanned pregnancies and relationship strife. In the end, a large family and a long marriage are worth far more than any level of career or financial success. With God’s help, we can rebuild a culture of life and family that puts mothers, fathers, and babies at the center of everything. It’s the right thing to do, and it will even be good for the economy.</span></p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p><em>Tyler Watts is a professor of economics at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.</em></p>
<p><em>The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.</em></p>


State Capitol Building of Michigan in Lansing

In This State, Chickens Have More Rights Than Babies

Abortion

Bird Flu

Inflation

Leftists

Opinion

Population

Pro-Life Movement

<p>Michigan Republican Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt announced on Tuesday that he is running for governor, becoming the first GOP candidate to enter a 2026 race that promises to be competitive.</p>
<p>Nesbitt, 44, said in a video posted on X that &#8220;Michiganders deserve so much better than what they&#8217;re getting from these Democrats up in Lansing.&#8221; The 2026 race in Michigan will put a new face in the governor&#8217;s mansion as Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited.</p>
<p>&#8220;What we&#8217;ve seen is higher taxes, more spending, more debt, and less jobs,&#8221; Nesbitt added. &#8220;You have Governor Whitmer giving free housing to illegal aliens, backing up the big business interests instead of folks back home that need to be protected. I hear it way too often: small business owners are left behind, our farmers are left behind. They show up and they go to work every day, and we need a governor that&#8217;s willing to show up and work just as hard as they are.&#8221;</p>
<p>Among his top priorities, Nesbitt called for ending electric vehicle mandates and standing with President-elect Donald Trump to bring back manufacturing jobs to Michigan. The gubernatorial candidate also said he wants to &#8220;ban sanctuary cities to make sure that our communities and families are safe.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s time to start putting the people of Michigan first. That’s why I’m running for Governor. Let’s get to work! <a href="https://t.co/aZs5S7THhP">pic.twitter.com/aZs5S7THhP</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Aric Nesbitt (@aricnesbitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/aricnesbitt/status/1879127887519043750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>For the past two years, Democrats have controlled the state house and senate in Michigan. However, a Republican wave bolstered by Trump&#8217;s victory in the 2024 election put the GOP back in control of the state House, while Democrats hold a narrow majority in the state Senate.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/">JOIN THE MOVEMENT IN ’25 WITH 25% OFF DAILYWIRE+ ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS WITH CODE DW25</a></strong></p>
<p>Republicans have struggled in statewide elections in recent years. Whitmer cruised to re-election victory in the 2022 election, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-michigan-governor.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defeating</a> Republican candidate Tudor Dixon by more than 10 points. The Secretary of State and Attorney General positions have also been filled by Democrats since 2019, and Michigan voters elected Democrats to the U.S. Senate in the 2024 and 2022 elections.</p>
<p>Multiple Democrats, including Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, have been floated as possible candidates in the 2026 race. Republicans could see a crowded primary field, which could include Dixon and Kevin Rinke, who also ran for governor in 2022. Reps. Lisa McClain and John James have also been floated as potential candidates, but neither U.S. House member has said they are interested in running for governor.</p>
<p>Longtime Detroit Democratic Mayor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/detroit-dem-mayor-announces-run-for-michigan-governor-as-independent" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike Duggan</a> was the first candidate to enter the 2026 governor&#8217;s race. In early December, he announced that he was running as an independent.</p>


Aric Nesbitt for governor

First Republican Throws Hat In The Ring For 2026 Michigan Governor’s Race

First Republican Throws Hat In The Ring For 2026 Michigan Governor's Race

Election

governor

<p>Detroit Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan, who has been in office since 2014, announced that he is running for Michigan governor as an independent in the 2026 election.</p>
<p>Duggan, 66, who has served decades in public office in Wayne County and Detroit, told city employees last week that he would not run for another term as mayor. He officially announced in a press release on Wednesday that he is running to replace Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is term-limited after 2026, the Detroit Free Press <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2024/12/04/detroit-mayor-mike-duggan-running-michigan-governor-independent/76234462007/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. Duggan has been a Democrat for his entire political career but said he is running as an independent because he wants to change &#8220;the current system [that] forces people to choose sides.&#8221;</p>
<p>“I&#8217;m not running to be the Democrats&#8217; governor or the Republicans&#8217; governor. I&#8217;m running to be your governor,” Duggan said. “The political fighting and the nonsense that once held back Detroit is too often what we’re seeing across Michigan today. The current system forces people to choose sides — not find solutions. It’s time to change that. I intend to bring together Democrats, Republicans and Independents — and our young people, far too many of whom have given up on our political system — together to move Michigan forward.”</p>
<p>Whitmer, who easily won a second term in 2022, is a rising national figure in the Democratic Party and is being floated as a potential candidate for president in 2028.</p>
<p>Duggan has overseen a city that has gone through a decades-long spell of violence and decline. Earlier this year, the city <a href="https://detroitmi.gov/opportunities/detroit-tackling-crime-across-city" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boasted</a> of recording the lowest homicide rate since 1962, with 252 homicides reported in 2023. According to the city, non-fatal shootings and carjackings also decreased in 2023.</p>
<p>Despite these recent drops in violent crime, however, Detroit remains one of the most dangerous places to live in the U.S. According to 2022 data, Detroit ranked <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/217685/most-dangerous-cities-in-north-america-by-crime-rate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">second</a>, only behind Memphis, for the highest violent crime rate in the nation at 2,027.9 violent crimes per 100,000 people.</p>
<p>Duggan touted his record of leading Detroit as the city came out of bankruptcy in 2014.</p>
<p>“Detroit’s story of resurgence is one of Detroiters who never gave up on their city,” Duggan said last month when he announced he would not run for a fourth term as mayor. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as mayor over the past 12 years and I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together—from emerging out of bankruptcy to becoming a vibrant, healthy city that is a model of resilience and transformation.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://get.dailywire.com/gift-guide/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1732727087136000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Ao27zcTCGutKhTz_xpaKC"><b>CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE</b></a></p>
<p>Democrats who have been <a href="https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/has-michigan-governor-race-begun-duggan-spurs-speculation-heres-who-might-run" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discussed</a> as potential Michigan gubernatorial candidates include Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, and former Secretary of Transporation Pete Buttigieg, who recently moved to the Great Lakes State.</p>
<p>Numerous potential contenders on the Republican side include Congresswoman Lisa McClain, Congressman John James, Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, and conservative commentator Tudor Dixon, who was the GOP gubernatorial nominee in 2022.</p>


Mike Duggan

Detroit Dem Mayor Announces Run For Michigan Governor As Independent

Detroit

<p>Vice President Kamala Harris got caught on a hot mic while chatting with campaign surrogate and Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) — and then tried to laugh it off after she appeared to admit that her team was struggling to reach male voters.</p>
<p>Harris, who was catapulted to the top of the Democratic Party&#8217;s 2024 ticket after President Joe Biden was effectively forced out of the race, has continued to poll poorly among male voters despite a series of targeted efforts to mitigate that weakness. Sitting down with Whitmer at a bar, Harris seemed to acknowledge that shortcoming before she realized that there were eyes and ears — and cameras and microphones — everywhere.</p>
<p><strong>WATCH:</strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kamala appears to acknowledge she&#39;s struggling with male voters before noticing there are &quot;microphones in here just listening to everything.&quot;</p>
<p>&quot;Shit! Ha ha ha!&quot;</p>
<p>Fakest candidate ever. <a href="https://t.co/ETYniX2wqW">pic.twitter.com/ETYniX2wqW</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1850582688597471350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Harris, sitting down with the Michigan Governor for a beer, appeared to tell Whitmer that &#8220;we need to move ground with men&#8221; before turning to see a camera on her.</p>
<p>&#8220;Oh, we have microphones in here just listening to everything,&#8221; Harris said as she and Whitmer looked around the room. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t realize that.&#8221;</p>
<p>Harris laughed and added, &#8220;So &#8230; now you tell us.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll bleep my f-words,&#8221; Whitmer joked.</p>
<p>&#8220;We just told all the family secrets,&#8221; Harris said, still laughing. &#8220;S**t!&#8221;</p>
<p>Harris turned back to Whitmer and said, &#8220;Anyway, it&#8217;s good to see you &#8230;&#8221;</p>
<p>Harris&#8217; hot mic revelation followed a number of polls indicating that her campaign is flagging among male voters. In the final weeks of the presidential contest, Harris&#8217; team has made a series of efforts to reach out to male voters. Vice presidential nominee and Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) participated in a pheasant hunt and appeared on a Twitch-stream alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/america-is-always-disappointing-her-michelle-obama-trashed-for-racist-last-ditch-kamala-pitch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michelle Obama</a> have also hit the campaign trail, speaking to men directly at times in their efforts to push Harris across the finish line.</p>
<p>But as CNN Republican commentator <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrats-are-hemorrhaging-male-voters-so-obama-helped-by-insulting-men" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scott Jennings</a> noted, the Obama-method of scolding men to get them to comply might not move the needle as much as they might hope.</p>
<p>&#8220;I don’t think it’s helpful to insult a group of people who are already not enthusiastic about your campaign, but I think that’s what he did today,&#8221; Jennings said. &#8220;The story tonight is they’re struggling with men, Obama’s insulting men, and they’re out saying, ‘Let’s fix it by sending Tim Walz out and hiring Mitt Romney, it’s crazy to me!&#8221;</p>


Vice President Kamala Harris Travels to Michigan

‘S**t!’: Kamala Tries To Laugh Off Hot Mic Moment At A Bar With Gretchen Whitmer

'S**t!': Kamala Tries To Laugh Off Hot Mic Moment At A Bar With Gretchen Whitmer

Hot Mic

Kamala Harris

<p>Michigan Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/gretchen-whitmer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gretchen Whitmer</a> (D) has issued a statement apologizing and attempting to explain her bizarre and sexually suggestive viral video with abortion advocate Liz Plank.</p>
<p>The video showcased Whitmer feeding a Dorito to Plank, who is suggestively receiving it on her tongue with her eyes closed. The Democrat was swiftly criticized for appearing to mock Catholics and the Holy Eucharist, with Whitmer acting as a priest.</p>
<p>“Over 25 years in public service, I would never do something to denigrate someone’s faith,” Whitmer said in a statement. “I’ve used my platform to stand up for people’s right to hold and practice their personal religious beliefs. My team has spoken to the Michigan Catholic Conference.&#8221;</p>
<p>The governor said the video was supposed to be about the $52.7 billion CHIPS Act, which was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-signs-52-billion-semiconductor-bill-in-latest-push-to-fight-inflation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022, claiming it would fight inflation.</p>
<p>&#8220;What was supposed to be a video about the importance of the CHIPS Act to Michigan jobs, has been construed as something it was never intended to be, and I apologize for that,&#8221; Whitmer added.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer releases statement following video of her feeding a podcaster a Dorito corn chip, resembling communion:</p>
<p>“Over 25 years in public service, I would never do something to denigrate someone’s faith,” the statement said. “I’ve used my platform to… <a href="https://t.co/HO7i0L5TL6">pic.twitter.com/HO7i0L5TL6</a></p>
<p>— Jeff Vaughn (@JeffVaughn) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffVaughn/status/1844896642572439774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p>The video, which was published to Instagram on Thursday, was initially captioned, “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whitmer-blasted-after-appearing-in-vulgar-video-with-feminist-writer">if he won’t, big gretch will</a>.”</p>
<p>The amended caption now reads as follows: &#8220;Chips aren’t just delicious, the CHIPS Act is a game-changer for U.S. tech and manufacturing, boosting domestic production of semiconductors to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers! Donald Trump would put that at risk.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA8lS2sP-Rv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">
<div style="padding: 16px;">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
<div style="flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
<div style="height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
<div style="flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px;"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent;"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px;"></div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA8lS2sP-Rv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Liz Plank (@feministabulous)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Plank also recorded a 9-minute interview with Whitmer on her show “Chip Chat.” During the interview, Plank asked the governor, “You have two daughters. When they come back home and they leave their Stanley Cups lying around, do you ever think about getting a post-birth abortion?”</p>
<p>After laughing, Whitmer replied, “Thank you for raising that because there’s no such thing. So I think it’s really important for us to make sure people understand that.”</p>
<p><em>Zach Jewell contributed to this report.</em></p>
<p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whitmer-blasted-after-appearing-in-vulgar-video-with-feminist-writer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Whitmer Blasted After Appearing In Vulgar Video With Feminist Writer</a></strong></p>


Gretchen Whitmer Apologizes For Sexually Suggestive Video She Made With Abortion Advocate

General

Social Media

U.S.

<p>Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was blasted on social media on Thursday after appearing in a video that showed her feeding a chip to a woman on her knees.</p>
<p>The woman in the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA8lS2sP-Rv/?igsh=cWVhN2dvaW5vaWxt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> is feminist author Liz Plank, who has worked at NBC News and Vox Media. In the 8-second clip, Whitmer, while wearing a Harris/Walz cap, feeds a Doritos chip to Plank, who is sitting on her knees in front of the Michigan governor. Plank captioned the video, &#8220;if he won&#8217;t, big gretch will.&#8221;</p>
<p>Whitmer <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/4844547-big-gretch-nickname-michigan-whitmer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> Democrats at the party&#8217;s convention in Chicago in August that &#8220;in Lansing, they call me governor, but in Detroit, I&#8217;m Big Gretch!&#8221;</p>
<p>Shortly after posting the clip, however, Plank edited her caption to say, &#8220;If he won’t, Gretchen Whitmer will. Chips aren’t just delicious, the CHIPS Act is a game-changer for U.S. tech and manufacturing, boosting domestic production of semiconductors to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers! Donald Trump would put that at risk.&#8221; The $52.7 billion CHIPS Act was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-signs-52-billion-semiconductor-bill-in-latest-push-to-fight-inflation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> into law by President Joe Biden in August 2022, claiming it would fight inflation.</p>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA8lS2sP-Rv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">
<div style="padding: 16px;">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
<div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
<div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA8lS2sP-Rv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Liz Plank (@feministabulous)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p>
<p>Many Instagram users who commented on Plank&#8217;s post stated that they were appalled by the video.</p>
<p>&#8220;This is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen,&#8221; one social media user wrote.</p>
<p>&#8220;This is disgraceful,&#8221; another added.</p>
<p>&#8220;Wtf is this supposed to be? Disgusting,&#8221; another Instagram user commented.</p>
<p>The Daily Wire has reached out to Whitmer&#8217;s office for comment.</p>
<p>The video also circulated on X with New York Post reporter James David Dickson writing, &#8220;Why [is] Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer feeding chips to a woman who’s on her knees? And where is the rest of the video?&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why in Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer feeding chips to a woman who’s on her knees?</p>
<p>And where is the rest of the video?</p>
<p>“If he won’t, Big Gretch will”<a href="https://t.co/BFbHHQquID">https://t.co/BFbHHQquID</a> <a href="https://t.co/DA9dhys9UX">pic.twitter.com/DA9dhys9UX</a></p>
<p>&mdash; James David Dickson (@downi75) <a href="https://twitter.com/downi75/status/1844395359306646011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>&#8220;Strange,&#8221; political commentator Michael Cernovich <a href="https://x.com/Cernovich/status/1844424248515060011" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.</p>
<p>Other conservatives on social media said the video appeared to be a mockery of the Holy Eucharist, with Whitmer acting as a priest.</p>
<p><b><a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726313279401000&amp;usg=AOvVaw115_qPFFEePDP86-Fvo-Vd">Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!</a></b></p>
<p>Plank also recorded a 9-minute interview with Whitmer on her show &#8220;Chip Chat.&#8221; During the interview, Plank asked the governor, &#8220;You have two daughters. When they come back home and they leave their Stanley Cups lying around, do you ever think about getting a post-birth abortion?&#8221;</p>
<p>After laughing, Whitmer replied, &#8220;Thank you for raising that because there&#8217;s no such thing. So I think it&#8217;s really important for us to make sure people understand that.&#8221;</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Gretchen Whitmer Wants To Meet Her Kidnappers" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Chs2xvRju7k?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>In 2019, Plank released a book titled &#8220;For the Love of Men: A New Vision for Mindful Masculinity.&#8221; The book aims to provide &#8220;actionable steps for how to be a man in the modern world while also exploring how being a man in the world has evolved.&#8221; Plank has written multiple pieces for MNSBC on the issue of abortion, <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/why-men-have-lot-lose-if-roe-v-wade-overturned-n1295211" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arguing</a> in a 2022 op-ed in defense of <em>Roe v. Wade</em> that &#8220;men are direct beneficiaries of abortion rights in America.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Since many men seem to enjoy having sex with women, I would assume most men do not want to live in a world where they can’t access birth control,&#8221; Plank added.</p>


Whitmer Blasted After Appearing In Vulgar Video With Feminist Writer

Instagram

<p>Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) slammed Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) this week for attacking her faith by suggesting she could not be fair in prosecuting far-Left pro-Hamas activists who were criminally charged for their activities at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>Nessel&#8217;s remarks during a Monday interview on CNN came after her office charged 11 individuals with a variety of crimes, including attempted ethnic intimidation, assaulting or obstructing a police officer, and more.</p>
<p>Tlaib responded by claiming that Nessel, who is Jewish, charged the students because she was biased in favor of Israel. “It seems that the attorney general decided, if the issue was Palestine, she was going to treat it differently, and that alone speaks volumes about possible biases within the agency she runs,” Tlaib claimed.</p>
<p>CNN&#8217;s Jake Tapper said that Tlaib did not accept an interview request on his show and refused to answer follow-up questions about her remarks.</p>
<p>&#8220;For her to say that I could handle a litany of other cases, and that was fine, but when it comes to anything involving pro-Palestinian protesters, I could not be fair, I could not be objective,&#8221; Nessel said, &#8220;Clearly, she&#8217;s referencing my religion as to why she thinks I can&#8217;t be fair.&#8221;</p>
<p><b><a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726313279401000&amp;usg=AOvVaw115_qPFFEePDP86-Fvo-Vd">Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!</a></b></p>
<p>&#8220;She also mischaracterized the charges and I think intentionally, I mean, she talked about this being peaceful protesters,&#8221; she continued. &#8220;No peaceful protesters were charged in this event. And, you know, Rashida is a lawyer. She had every opportunity to call me to ask to see the evidence in this case, but she didn&#8217;t do that.&#8221;</p>
<p>Nessel said that Tlaib &#8220;is well known for making inflammatory and incendiary remarks that are anti-Semitic in nature. So this isn&#8217;t the first time that we would have heard these words out of her mouth.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) says that Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) accused her of bias in prosecuting students because she is Jewish.</p>
<p>Nessel says that Tlaib is &#8220;anti-Semitic&#8221; and says she &#8220;intentionally&#8221; lied about what the charges were that the students face <a href="https://t.co/NZsqEXthhd">pic.twitter.com/NZsqEXthhd</a></p>
<p>— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealSaavedra/status/1838627456250712121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whitmer-refuses-to-condemn-rashida-tlaibs-anti-semitic-attack-on-michigans-ag">refused</a> to back up Nessel during a CNN interview with Tapper on Sunday, saying: &#8220;I’m not going to get in the middle of this argument that they’re having.&#8221;</p>
<p>After seeing the widespread backlash she faced online, Whitmer finally stood up to Tlaib on Monday but did not call out Tlaib by name.</p>
<p>&#8220;The suggestion that Attorney General Nessel would make charging decisions based on her religion as opposed to the rule of law is antisemitic,&#8221; Whitmer said. &#8220;Attorney General Nessel has always conducted her work with integrity and followed the rule of law. We must all use our platform and voices to call out hateful rhetoric and racist tropes.&#8221;</p>


Menu