(Rightallegiance.com) – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently issued an apology following the release of a social media video that sparked significant criticism. In the clip, Whitmer is seen wearing a Harris-Walz campaign hat while feeding a Dorito to Liz Plank, a liberal podcaster who is kneeling. Critics have expressed outrage, claiming the video trivialized a sacred Christian ritual, comparing it to the sacrament of Holy Communion.
How else can this be interpreted other than mockery of Catholics and the sacrament of Holy Communion, not to mention the distasteful pornographic innuendo? Gretchen Whitmer is only the latest example of the gross anti-Catholic bigotry festering inside the Democratic Party. pic.twitter.com/KG1BmHYkJM
— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) October 10, 2024
The video was part of a viral TikTok trend, featuring one individual feeding another while the song “Dilemma” by Nelly and Kelly Rowland plays in the background. As the video unfolds, the governor appears in a camouflage hat, further emphasizing the casual nature of the moment. The Michigan Catholic Conference’s President and CEO, Paul A. Long, voiced strong disapproval, stating, “It is not just distasteful or ‘strange;’ it is an all-too-familiar example of an elected official mocking religious persons and their practices.”
In light of the backlash, Whitmer clarified her intentions. She stressed that the video was meant to promote the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which allocates nearly $53 billion to support the return of semiconductor supply chains to the U.S. “Over 25 years in public service, I would never do something to denigrate someone’s faith,” she stated in an interview.
Whitmer emphasized her respect for the diverse beliefs of Michiganders, saying, “I’ve used my platform to stand up for people’s right to hold and practice their personal religious beliefs.” She further mentioned that her team had engaged in discussions with the Michigan Catholic Conference regarding the matter, hoping to clarify the intent behind the video.
“I apologize for that,” she concluded, acknowledging that the clip was perceived in a manner she did not intend. This incident underscores the challenges public officials face in maintaining a balance between engaging with constituents and navigating sensitive cultural and religious contexts.