Gretchen Whitmer fires back at Trump with 'that man from Mar-a-Lago' jibe in DNC speech

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer returned fire on former President Donald Trump during her speech on the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention.

The former president has often referred to the governor as "That woman from Michigan." However, Whitmer turned the tables on Thursday, August 22, by calling Trump "That man from Mar-a-Lago."

Gretchen Whitmer fires back at Donald Trump with personal anecdotes

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who faced repeated criticism from Donald Trump during the Covid-19 pandemic, began her speech by acknowledging Detroit and her affectionate nickname, "Big Gretch."

With a sense of pride, she brushed off Trump's moniker and said, "Being a woman from Michigan is a badge of honor."

Whitmer also shared a personal anecdote about her mother, whom she cared for during her battle with cancer. She drew a parallel with Vice President Kamala Harris, who similarly cared for her mother during her illness.

"Kamala Harris knows who she's fighting for, too. She took care of her mom who also battled cancer," Whitmer said. "As president, she'll fight to lower the cost of health care and elder care for every family. She's lived a life like ours. She knows us. Donald Trump doesn't know you. At all."

Whitmer wondered whether Trump understood the struggles that many people face. "You think he understands that when your car breaks down, you can't get to work? No! His first word was probably 'chauffeur.'" she quipped. "You think he's ever had to take items out of the cart before checking out? Hell, you think he's even been to a grocery store? That's what the chauffeur is for."

"... One day, when you're just trying to get everyone out the door, a news alert goes off. Something happened, something hit the fan," she continued. "You'll ask, 'Is my family going to be okay?' And then you'll ask, 'Who the hell is in charge?' What if it's him? What if it's that man from Mar-a-Lago?"

In conclusion, Whitmer stressed the need for leadership that can unite the country during times of crisis. "While we may not know what the next four years will bring, we need someone who will bring us together during a crisis," she said.

Prior to her convention speech, Whitmer told CBS News, "This is about how do we help more Americans keep money in their pockets. How do we help more Americans break down the barriers that keep them from the skills they need to get high-paying jobs? I think that's fundamentals for so many of us in Michigan and across the country, and that's what she's focused on."

Throughout her first term as governor, Whitmer was frequently targeted by Trump over her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The former president mockingly referred to her as "Gretchen 'Half' Whitmer" and "That Woman from Michigan."

Whitmer responded by embracing the moniker—even wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the words "That Woman" in bold. She said in 2020, "The best way to disarm a bully is to take their weapon and make it your shield."

Gretchen Whitmer's memoir and national ambitions

In July 2023, Gretchen Whitmer released her memoir, 'True Gretch.' The book recounts her political career, including clashes with Trump and a kidnapping plot targeting her and her family. Despite the book's release, speculation about her national ambitions continues unabated.

Whitmer downplayed such speculation during a pre-launch interview with The Associated Press. When asked if she would consider running for president if Biden stepped down, she responded with a firm "No."

"It’s a distraction more than anything. I don’t like seeing my name in articles like that because I’m totally focused on governing and campaigning for the ticket," she said at the time.

Whitmer's rise has been rather swift. From her time as the Michigan Senate Minority Leader, where she bravely shared her personal story of being raped in college during a debate on an anti-abortion bill, to her current role as governor, she has been the definition of resilience.

More than a decade after that anti-abortion bill passed, Whitmer signed a law as governor to repeal it. Furthermore, her reelection in 2022 and the Democrats' success in flipping both chambers of the Michigan state legislature cemented her as a formidable figure in the party.

In her memoir, Whitmer reflects on the challenges of the current political landscape. "I’ve spent the first quarter of this century watching as the arc of our politics has bent uncomfortably toward incivility and strife," she writes. "That’s why I decided to write this book: to put a little light out there in a damn dark time."