Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s deputy dished last week that “it’s terrible” his boss has been getting friendly with President Trump in recent public appearances — and vowed to “confront” the Republican administration if elected to replace her next year.
“I do like Governor Whitmer, but I am a little concerned with her cozying up to Trump recently,” a political science student from Michigan State University asked Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist during a May 3 campaign event at a coffeehouse in Grand Rapids, according to video obtained by The Post.
“I think it’s terrible,” answered Gilchrist, before claiming that if he is elected governor in 2026, he will “show up” for the Mitten State and “confront” the Trump administration for launching federal probes of state universities
Gilchrist for Michigan spokesperson Danya Rafiqi claimed to The Post Friday that Gilchrist’s comment was “taken entirely out of context.
“What the Lieutenant Governor believes is terrible is Donald Trump slashing critical healthcare programs, raising costs, and putting Michigan jobs and families at risk,” Rafiqi added. “Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist will continue working together to deliver for Michigan despite the chaos.”
Whitmer, who is term-limited, was greeted by Trump with a hug before an event last month at an Air National Guard base near Detroit — and was taken aback when invited by the president to say a few words.
“Well, I hadn’t planned to speak,” the governor opened awkwardly, with Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looking on.
“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,” Whitmer forced out before scooting away.
“I want to thank Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer,” the president had said in his remarks. “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.’”
Earlier in April, the Democratic governor — who is rumored to be on the shortlist of her party’s 2028 presidential contenders — shielded her face behind a stack of blue binders rather than show it to photographers in the White House as she waited to discuss the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base with Trump.
Whitmer’s office later claimed she was caught off guard and ushered into the Oval Office in front of the cameras to watch the president sign several executive orders and proclamations — none of which her team said she endorsed.
The embarrassing moments underscore the difficulty some Democratic state leaders have faced delivering for their residents — while not alienating voters who want their party to get tougher on the Republican president.
“For decades, they’ve been trying to save this facility,” Trump praised Whitmer at the April 29 event, “including your governor, who has done a very good job. She came to see me. That’s the reason she came to see me, by the way, to save Selfridge. She was very effective.”
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson currently leads in early polls of the Democratic gubernatorial primary, with Gilchrist double-digit percentage points behind.
Asked by the MSU undergrad whether he would “do something differently” than Whitmer has, Gilchrist replied: “We need to make sure we are advocating fully for what the people of Michigan need.”
“This administration’s attacked, for example, Grand Valley State University,” he said, referencing a civil rights investigation based on the college’s use of racial preferences in awarding academic opportunities.
“As governor, Trump will still be president in 2027, so that’s how I would show up against this administration.”
In an April appearance on “Pod Save America,” Whitmer disclosed she had not spoken with Trump about his anti-DEI and immigration enforcement actions that have targeted universities.
“I have not had that direct conversation on this subject yet,” she said at the time, “but I’m not afraid to do that.”
