Trump Surprises Potential 2028 Democratic Rival During 100-Day Milestone Event

At an event on Tuesday marking the first 100 days of his term, President Donald Trump surprised Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer — a prominent Democrat considered a possible contender in the 2028 presidential race — by unexpectedly inviting her to speak.

Speaking to military personnel at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, located northeast of Detroit, the 78-year-old president acknowledged Whitmer in a moment that drew attention across social media.

“I want to thank Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer,” Trump said, as seen in widely shared video footage. “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.’”

Trump added, “For decades, they’ve been trying to save this facility,” crediting Whitmer in the effort. “She came to see me. That’s the reason she came to see me, by the way, to save Selfridge. She was very effective.”

Shortly afterward, Trump asked Whitmer to come up and say a few words. She seemed visibly uneasy but accepted the invitation.

“Well, I hadn’t planned to speak,” Whitmer said at the podium. “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.”

This was not the first tense encounter between Whitmer and Trump. Earlier this month, while waiting for a meeting with the president in the Oval Office, Whitmer was seen covering her face with a stack of binders to avoid being photographed.

The photo, later published by The New York Times, sparked backlash from fellow Democrats. Whitmer later acknowledged that she regretted hiding from the cameras.

On Tuesday, Whitmer opted not to attend a Trump rally in Warren, located roughly 20 miles from Detroit.

At 53, Whitmer was once considered as a potential running mate for Joe Biden in 2020, though the vice-presidential slot ultimately went to then-Senator Kamala Harris of California, according to the New York Post.

Her name briefly resurfaced in 2024 as a potential nominee after Biden dropped out of the race. However, Harris secured the nomination and went on to lose to Trump in the general election.

Trump carried Michigan by over 80,000 votes last November, flipping the state from blue to red — one of three crucial “blue wall” states that went Republican in 2024.

According to a press release from Whitmer’s office, Selfridge Air National Guard Base supports over 5,000 Air and Army National Guard personnel, brings in $850 million annually, and helps sustain as many as 30,000 jobs in the state.

In another development this week, more than a dozen Senate Democrats joined Republicans in voting to confirm one of Trump’s recent appointments.

David Perdue, a former Republican senator from Georgia, was confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to China — a key diplomatic role given the critical importance of trade and national security issues with the Chinese government. The Senate approved cloture on his nomination by a 64–27 vote.

Trump had previously endorsed Perdue in his failed 2022 primary challenge against Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.

Meanwhile, new polling indicates the Democratic Party is losing traction among younger voters — a demographic once considered a reliable stronghold.

Brett Cooper, host of The Brett Cooper Show, discussed this trend on Fox & Friends, saying: “Democrats are completely out of touch with their voter base.” She added that many in her generation no longer feel the party reflects their values.