Dem governor who made a deal with Trump is soaring in popularity

Oh, how the Democrats squealed when they saw Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hanging out in the Oval Office while asking President Donald Trump for a favor.

The moment was so politically volatile that Whitmer shielded her face from cameras like a parent playing, “You can’t see me” with a toddler.

And that was nothing compared to the outrage that targeted her when she hugged Trump — She hugged him! There are photos! — when he visited Michigan last month.

It was the Democrats’ Chris Christie Moment, reminiscent of the New Jersey GOP governor’s handshake with President Barack Obama — the moment when Christie begged for federal money to recover from Superstorm Sandy and blew up his political future at the same time. Republicans called it a hug and blamed Christie for Mitt Romney’s loss to Obama.

Many predicted that Whitmer would face the same fate, that in those moments, recorded for history, she had detonated any chance she had of being a presidential candidate in 2028. Trump leprosy would claim her, too.

Putting aside, of course, the slim chance that Democrats, after Kamala Harris’ and Hillary Clinton’s losses, will nominate another woman so soon.

Whitmer was in the White House asking for help in the fight against an invasive species of carp that is threatening the Great Lakes.

She also was worried about invasive photographers: The New York Times published a photo showing her using folders to shield her face from cameras while in the Oval Office.

Whitmer’s timing was unfortunate: While she was in the Oval Office, Trump signed several executive orders and assailed his Democratic political opponents. Whitmer’s office said in a statement that she was “surprised” that she was brought into the room and that “her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event.”

Nice try, many Democrats said.

Whitmer then greeted Trump in Michigan when he came to announce a new fighter jet production at a National Guard base outside Detroit. The new jets will protect a major economic driver for the area for years to come and represent a big win for Whitmer. The governor credited her Oval Office meeting with Trump for securing the base’s future.

“My job is to do the right thing for the people of Michigan,” she said after her appearance with Trump. “I’m not thinking about anything beyond that, and I know it’s hard for people to get their head around.”

And ... lookie here: According to a new poll from Impact Research, Whitmer’s job approval rating soaring to 63% in a swing state won by Trump in 2024.

“Governor Whitmer has her strongest ratings in years and is as strong as she’s ever been with Democrats,” the poll said. “Voters across the political spectrum like that she is working across party lines, getting things done, and focused on the issues that matter.

“Michiganders want her to continue her approach of working with President Trump when it’s good for Michigan while standing up to him when she disagrees. Voters also broadly support her economic development packages.”

This also bodes well for fellow presidential contender, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat who has similar approval ratings in a red state Trump won three times by huge margins.

While it’s typical for a governor or another high-ranking state official to greet the president when he steps off Air Force One in their state — a tradition that has historically transcended partisanship — the embrace between Trump and Whitmer was notable.

It came at a time when Americans are increasingly saying Trump’s priorities are off and Democrats are agitating for their leaders to take a more confrontational approach.

Whitmer insisted that working with Trump on some issues doesn’t preclude her from criticizing him on others, adding that she’s been clear with Trump that his tariffs have been damaging her state.

“I had to be there because this was a big, important thing for the state of Michigan,” she said. ”Now, he is going to go off to the rally and say a lot of things I disagree with, that I’ll fight against, and that’s fine, but, you know, my job is to do everything I can for the people of Michigan.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, once one of the Democrats’ biggest attack dogs agaist Trump, also has been criticized by those who believe he has sold for federal disaster money to recover from devastating wild fires. Newsom — seen as trying to reposition himself as a presidential candidate — has hosted Trump loyalist Steve Bannon on a new podcast and has softened his stances against Trump, critics say.

The AP contributed to this report.

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