DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer went viral when she hid behind a blue folder during a picture at the White House. This week, she explained what she was thinking.
Whitmer had traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak with President Donald Trump on April 9. A viral photo of the Governor captured her covering her face with a blue folder while inside the Oval Office.
Related: Trump offers rare praise for Michigan Gov. Whitmer as she appears with him in Oval Office
On Monday, April 14, Whitmer spoke at the Detroit Economic Club, where she addressed the viral photo.
“Today, I want to talk about the power of certainty. We could all use more of it -- especially these days,” Whitmer opened her speech. “I mean, one minute you’re certain you’re at the White House for a meeting and the next, you’re in a press conference.”
After her roughly 20-minute speech, she had a Q&A, where when she was asked how her trip to Washington was, she covered her face again with a blue folder.
“What was I thinking? That I didn’t want my picture taken,” Whitmer told the crowd. “I kind of wish I hadn’t put my folder up in front of my face, but whatever. I mean, I just wrote a book about learning to laugh at yourself, so I’m pretty good at it. We all have our moments.”
You can watch the full speech here.
Whitmer went on to explain her efforts to secure a federal emergency declaration for the thousands of Michiganders up north who remain without power more than two weeks after a historic ice storm. She said her visit to Washington, D.C., was also to advocate for Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.
“If I can get either of those things, it’s all worth it because I’m just there to fight for the people of Michigan,” Whitmer said.
Related: What President Trump said regarding the future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base
