Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) is facing online backlash from some Republicans and Catholics. Whitmer was a guest on the Chip Chat podcast with author Liz Plank. Their interview touched on subjects as diverse as abortion and the kidnap attempt on Whitmer.

As part of their meeting, Whitmer and Plank filmed a brief skit in which Whitmer fed Plank a Doritos chip. The video recreated a viral TikTrend from earlier in the year. People fed food to appreciate friends or loved ones, soundtracked by a cover of the old Nelly and Kelly Rowland hit, “Dilemma”.

Here’s one such TikTok video, this time featuring members of the Italian rock band Maneskin.

@therealmaneskin

Not Damiano cringing again

♬ dilemma – Galuh

And here’s Whitmer and Plank. Whitmer is wearing a Harris-Walz campaign hat.

In an edited caption, Plank used the video to highlight the CHIPS Act.

“If he won’t, Gretchen Whitmer will,” Plank said. “Chips aren’t just delicious, the CHIPS Act is a game-changer for U.S. tech and manufacturing, boosting domestic production of semiconductors to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers! Donald Trump would put that at risk.”

The CHIPS and Science Act was signed into law by President Biden in 2022. It helps fund semiconductor research and other scientific endeavors.

MAGA meltdown

Given Plank hosts a show called Chip Chat, she’s highlighting risks to the CHIPS Act, and it’s aping a viral trend, the video makes sense.

Unsurprisingly, it fully went over the heads of some Republicans.

Michigan State Rep. Bill Schuette and State Senator Aric Nesbitt called it “weird” on social media posts.

The video was also soon picked up by conservative Catholics. Some felt they were being mocked as it looked like Whitmer was giving holy communion to Plank.

Others jumped to Whitmer’s defense.

Whitmer has not reshared the video. Approached for comment, an aide told The Hill, “The governor’s social media is well known for infusing her communications with pop culture.”

They added, “The fact that people are paying attention to a video promoting President Biden’s CHIPS Act proves it’s working.

“Republicans want to distract from the fact that Democrats have invested billions of dollars into local economies to create a record number of jobs and bring supply chains back from overseas, while Donald Trump’s policies would kill these jobs and send them back to China.”

Donald Trump slams Detroit, Michigan

Whitmer was among those who responded to a speech Donald Trump gave yesterday in Detroit. Suggesting he viewed the Michigan city as undesirable, Trump told the audience that if Harris won the election, the whole US would become like Detroit.

“Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she’s your president. You’re going to have a mess on your hands,” he said.

On X, Whitmer said, “Detroit is the epitome of ‘grit,’ defined by winners willing to get their hands dirty to build up their city and create their communities—something Donald Trump could never understand.

“So keep Detroit out of your mouth. And you better believe Detroiters won’t forget this in November.”

You can watch some of Whitmer’s Chip Chat talk with Liz Plank below.

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