Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signaled a willingness to work with President-elect Donald Trump, Fox News reported. The Michigan Democrat said she hopes to "find some common ground" with Trump in a stunning turnaround.
Whitmer made these remarks while speaking with CNN during a Democratic governors' meeting in Los Angeles this week. "People in Michigan, like a majority of Americans, voted for Donald Trump, and my oath is to Michigan," Whitmer said.
"Obviously, I’ve got experience in this type of environment that will help inform how I continue to fight for Michigan. But I know Donald Trump cares about Michigan," Whitmer added.
"And I’m hoping that because of that, we’ll be able to find some common ground in some important ways," the Democratic governor concluded. After losing the state in 2020, Trump won again this time around.
Trump and Whitmer famously bumped heads during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. At one point, Trump referred to her as "that woman from Michigan," which became a rallying cry for the radical leftist.
As recently as August of this year, Whitmer brought it up while stumping for Vice President Kamala Harris, CBS News reported. She called Trump "That man for Mar-a-Lago" in her remarks during the Democratic National Convention.
"Being a woman from Michigan is a badge of honor," Whitmer had told the crowd. She also denigrated Trump for his wealthy lifestyle, suggesting it somehow made him out of touch and unable to help the people in her state.
"You think he understands that when your car breaks down, you can't get to work? No!" Whitmer claimed.
"His first word was probably 'chauffeur.' You think he's ever had to take items out of the cart before checking out?" Whitmer slammed Trump. "Hell, you think he's even been to a grocery store? That's what the chauffeur is for."
Now, Whitmer and others are attempting to build goodwill with Trump by stroking his ego. They believe doing so will keep Trump from attacking them, which is a victory in its own way for the Republican president, even if they can't see it.
New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul schmoozed Trump as a native of the Empire State. She told Trump he is a "president who is a New Yorker, has been a New Yorker, would understand how important it is for the success of our state" during a phone conversation.
However, Hochul hasn't completely abandoned her leftist hatred for Trump. "It would be irresponsible of me not to anticipate all scenarios of what could happen, especially listening to what the president said, what his advisers have said, what his appointees have said, what his candidates for various positions have said, and what Project 2025 says," the New York governor claimed.
"I have to be keenly aware of all those potential challenges and have a strategy to respond to each if they actually occur. So it’s playing some defense right now, getting the game plan together, and being willing to work," Hochul said.
Trump is retaking the White House with a mandate from the people. Everyone is getting in line behind him now, from America's adversaries to the Democratic governors who recognize that Trump is not to be discounted or trifled with.
