Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an apology after a video of her feeding a Dorito chip to social media influencer Liz Plank sparked criticism from Roman Catholic organizations. The controversy arose after the video, which some perceived as mocking the religious sacrament of communion, surfaced online.
“I would never do something to disrespect someone’s faith,” Whitmer stated in a release provided to Michigan news station WJBK. She clarified that the video was intended to promote the Chips Act, a 2022 law signed by President Biden that allocated $280 billion to research and semiconductor manufacturing, not to insult religious practices.
The video, which featured Plank kneeling before Whitmer as she placed a Dorito in her mouth, drew backlash from Catholic groups. Paul Long, CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference, accused Whitmer and Plank of mimicking the Catholic Eucharist, a sacred ritual where bread is believed to become the body of Christ. Long called the video an example of "an elected official mocking religious persons and their practices."
Whitmer apologized, stating that the gesture was misinterpreted and that she had engaged in dialogue with the Catholic Conference to address their concerns. Democratic insiders described the video as part of a viral trend where friends feed each other in humorous or awkward scenarios, but the outrage continued.
Whitmer, who has been Michigan's governor since 2019, had previously been considered a potential candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination before she ultimately ruled herself out. Recently, she gained attention for her sharp criticism of Donald Trump, describing him as “deranged” over his comments on women and abortion.
As Michigan remains a critical swing state in the upcoming election, Whitmer’s actions and statements are closely watched. The state, which narrowly favored Biden in 2020, is expected to play a significant role in Kamala Harris’s bid for the presidency against Trump.
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