Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Apologizes for Dorito Video Following Catholic Backlash
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently found herself at the center of a controversy after participating in a social media video that drew backlash from Catholic groups. In the video, Whitmer is seen feeding a Dorito chip to social media influencer Liz Plank, who dramatically kneels before her, an act that some Catholic organizations felt mimicked the religious ritual of communion.
The video, intended as a light-hearted way to promote President Biden’s 2022 CHIPS Act—legislation aimed at boosting the semiconductor industry—was perceived by critics as disrespectful to the Catholic faith. Specifically, the Michigan Catholic Conference and other groups accused Whitmer and Plank of imitating the act of receiving the Eucharist, a sacred tradition in Catholicism where wafers symbolize the body of Christ.
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Responding to the criticism, Whitmer issued an apology, emphasizing that the video was never meant to offend. She expressed regret for any offense it caused, explaining that her intention was to support the Biden administration's economic initiative and the viral social media trend surrounding it. The governor clarified that her actions were “construed as something it was never intended to be,” and reiterated her respect for all faiths, stating, “I would never do something to denigrate someone’s faith.”
The Michigan Catholic Conference, which has frequently opposed Whitmer due to her stance on issues like abortion, strongly condemned the video. Their CEO, Paul Long, called it a familiar example of public figures mocking religious practices. He pointed out that the imagery in the video appeared to imitate Catholic communion, a gesture he found not only inappropriate but deeply offensive. Despite the apology, Long acknowledged that while dialogue with Whitmer's office was appreciated, the damage had already been done.
Whitmer’s apology followed this outcry, and she revealed that she had taken steps to communicate directly with Catholic leaders. Her team also explained that the video was part of a social media challenge where people awkwardly feed each other on camera, adding that the religious implications were unintentional.
This incident occurs as Whitmer continues to play a pivotal role in national politics. She has been a key supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 presidential election and recently made headlines for criticizing Donald Trump. While Whitmer has been considered a possible presidential contender in the future, she has ruled herself out for the current election cycle, focusing instead on supporting Harris and Tim Walz as they campaign in swing states like Michigan.
As Michigan remains a critical battleground for the 2024 election, Whitmer's apology and the ensuing dialogue with Catholic leaders will likely play a role in how her leadership and political alliances are viewed leading up to the vote.
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