Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gestures to President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington. (Pool via AP)
Whitmer, joined by Michigan State House Speaker Matt Hall and several Cabinet secretaries, stood steps away from the Resolute Desk while Trump signed executive orders Wednesday.
"We're honored to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, great state of Michigan. And, she's been she's really done an excellent job. And a very good person," Trump said.
Whitmer told reporters afterward that she thought she was coming into the Oval Office for a one-on-one meeting with the president and was taken by surprise by the press conference.
Her face-shielding was derided online.
"Whitmer covering her face is the perfect metaphor for the Democratic Party," one user wrote.
Another X user said, "Gretchen Whitmer hiding behind her files in the White House is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. This is what my 2 year old does."
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer looks on as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on April 9, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
"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," said Whitmer, before adding, "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."
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Whitmer’s approach stands in stark contrast to that of other high-profile Democratic governors, many of whom are also seen as potential contenders for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination. But Whitmer faces a more challenging political landscape than leaders such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker or California Gov. Gavin Newsom as she represents a state with a divided state legislature and that went for Trump in two of the last three elections.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Danielle Wallace is a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gretchen-whitmer-ribbed-online-seeming-hide-face-oval-office