'Bizarre': Observers say Dem leader just 'flushed any chance in 2028 down the toilet'

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer could have just complicated her bid for the Presidency in 2028.

Whitmer, a Democratic leader who was rumored to be a potential replacement when then-President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race, was also floated as a potential V.P. pick for Kamala Harris, who ultimately chose Minnesota's Tim Walz instead.

On Saturday, however, Whitmer found herself in a complicated position after the New York Times published a photo of her hiding from the press inside Donald Trump's Oval Office.

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"Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan found herself in the Oval Office this week not for a one-on-one meeting with President Trump, but an appearance before the press corps. She temporarily shielded herself from the cameras," the New York Times reported.

GOP official Abigail Jackson said, "This is so much worse than if she just let her photo be taken."

Sen. Ted Cruz, a Trump ally, said, "Utterly bizarre."

Political commentator Shepard Rife said, "Whitmer Knows these optics will hurt her. It is even worse for her it looks like she is trying to hide it."

"She probably just flushed any chance she had in 2028 down the toilet," he added.

HuffPost reporter Yashar Ali said, "I can’t get over this image of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer shielding herself from cameras in the Oval Office this past week."

"Whitmer’s spokesperson said she was at the White House to meet with President Trump about Michigan matters and didn’t know she would be walking into a press event," Ali added.

A former prosecutor who goes by The Romano Report said, "I like Gretchen Whitmer, but I'm sorry, she proved that she does not have the judgement or courage to be the nominee for president."

"Going to the White House and standing there as Trump signs unconstitutional executive orders should end her presidential ambitions," the account added. "F------ stupid."

Writer Charlotte Clymer had a different take:

"Y'all aren't gonna convince me to be angry at Gretchen Whitmer for going to the White House in good faith to advocate for her constituents and being dragged into nonsense by Trump's notorious bad faith. The Governor has fought tooth-and-nail for what's right. She has more than earned my trust."

And this isn't the first similar instance with Whitmer and Trump. Just days before that, when Trump mentioned Whitmer, data analyst Brendan Hartnett said, "Gretchen Whitmer really woke up this morning and said 'how can I blow up my 2028 prospects as quickly as possible' and damn she executed perfectly!"