For Gretchen Whitmer, the Democratic Governor of Michigan, it’s walking a tightrope with former President Donald Trump. At the same time, she is making moves to launch her own presidential campaign in 2028. This week, she was the first to greet Trump on the tarmac during his visit to Michigan, signaling a strategic shift in her approach to the former president despite a history of sharp criticism.
Whitmer has a history of vocally tearing into Trump during campaign cycles. Now, she is leading the charge to expand the Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Her tenacity was rewarded when she became one of the few outside advocates to visit Trump himself at the White House, where she made her case in person. During that meeting, Whitmer attempted to avoid media attention, but she still managed to establish a moment of connection with Trump, initiating a handshake that turned into an unexpected hug.
The provision of the encounter has raised eyebrows, especially among the left-wing elements of her party. Critics argue that her friendly gestures toward Trump and subsequent appearance with him on stage at a political rally could be leveraged against her in future political contests. Other party members are calling for a tougher opposition to the former President’s agenda. They worry that if Whitmer embraces a conciliatory approach, her credibility with progressive Democrats would be undermined.
Whitmer has considered those concerns, and rightly so. She thinks it will be good for her future administration and her constituents to work with Trump. In her comments during the rally, she expressed gratitude for Trump’s announcement regarding the Selfridge Air National Guard Base’s recapitalization, stating,
“I am really damn happy we’re here to celebrate this recapitalisation at Selfridge.” – Gretchen Whitmer
This statement is indicative of her overall support for local military installations and of her long standing goal to bring home more federal dollars to Michigan.
Whitmer’s moves so far show an impressive pragmatic streak as she tacks through tough political waters looking toward her long-term–but very real–2028 ambitions. She continues to deal directly with Trump because she wants to use his influence for the benefit of Michigan. This strategy risks losing many in her base.
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