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

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.

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.

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.

The article’s headline read, “Whitmer Shows How Democrats Are Playing With Fire in Cozying Up to Trump” — and the sub-headline doubled down: “The Michigan governor’s awkward Oval Office appearance reflected how several Democratic state leaders are cultivating cordial but politically risky relationships with the president.”

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.

But it was the photo of a clearly uncomfortable Whitmer, hiding behind her folder, that went viral.

Gretchen Whitmer temporarily shielded herself from the cameras when she was in Trump’s Oval Office, per this photo from NYT’s @erjleehttps://t.co/TFDPPnci7Q pic.twitter.com/hnLnvuQvlX

— bryan metzger (@metzgov) April 12, 2025

“This is so much worse than if she just let her photo be taken,” Abigail Jackson posted.

This is so much worse than if she just let her photo be taken ???? pic.twitter.com/RoWz6Bl2Xw

— Abigail Jackson ???????? (@abigailmarone) April 12, 2025

“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,” she added later.

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 ???????????? pic.twitter.com/Kcxz6fs8yz

— Abigail Jackson ???????? (@abigailmarone) April 12, 2025

“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,” another posted, suggesting that the inopportune photo had effectively ended any chance Whitmer had at mounting a presidential campaign in 2028.

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: pic.twitter.com/gH9eM0hgzk

— Politics & Poll Tracker ???? (@PollTracker2024) April 12, 2025

“I don’t personally care that Whitmer was at the White House. Sometimes that’s just the job,” Democratic strategist Max Burns posted. “What I don’t respect is trying to hide from cameras in a room with no corners. Have the courage to be uncomfortable.”

Actual photo of Whitmer in the Oval Office ⬇️???????????? https://t.co/9GOToFhvkU pic.twitter.com/QzPnes86OS

— Sweet Home Michigan (@sweethomemich) April 12, 2025