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A Michigan governor was seen bizarrely trying to conceal her face while visiting the White House.
Gretchen Whitmer, who is shaping up to be a 2028 White House Democratic contender, could be seen trying to dodge attention while in the Oval Office when President Donald Trump spoke to the press.
The 53-year-old Michigan governor could be seen hiding her face with a stack of blue binders while sandwiched in between two White House aides.
It was apparent the governor was attempting to distance herself from the POTUS after she had visited the Republican president on Wednesday alongside a bipartisan delegation to discuss the state's defense, tariffs and an ice storm.
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The moment attracted some intense backlash for the governor, with political commentator Keith Olbermann writing on Twitter: "It’s rare when you get a shot of the EXACT moment a politician’s career ends, but there you go."
Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith also said: "Listen, she’s the governor of Michigan. She has no choice but to do that. Anybody that thinks otherwise is just being foolish and immature and childish."
Speaking about the incident on ABC News, Smith added: "The fact is, is that she’s the governor of a state in the United States of America. You need to do business with the federal government.
"He’s the president of the United States. You don’t get to circumvent him."
Whitmer also 'stood glumly' in the press conference, according to the New York Times, while Trump signed off on more executive orders.
However, others celebrated Whitmer's stance, saying that it appeared she was 'ambushed' by the event and gave a 'brilliant protest'.
Taking to Reddit, one person said: "Russian-style propaganda to sneak photos. Excellent in her for not falling into their trap!"
Another added: "When she saw cameras, she should have turned back. Ambushed."
"She was invited for a private discussion about her state, which is currently reeling from the tariff rollercoaster," a third wrote. "Instead, Trump turned it into this, in an effort to undermine her impact and support."
"Big congratulations and applause to her," a fourth chimed. "At the end of the day, she did what we all would’ve done."
In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for Whitmer said she was 'surprised' by the media appearance.
"The governor was surprised that she was brought into the Oval Office during President Trump’s press conference without any notice of the subject matter," the spokesperson said. "Her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event."
Whitmer also explained why she hid at a college event, saying: "It was not where I wanted to be or planned to be or would have liked to have been.
"I disagree with a lot of stuff that was said and the actions that were taken. But I stayed in the room because I needed to make the case for Michigan, and that’s my job."
Her attempts to hide during the conference came after the president heaped on praise for the Michigan governor.
"We’re honored to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, great state of Michigan," Trump said. "And she’s been, she’s really done an excellent job, very good person."
His remarks present a notable shift from the comments he made about the governor just five years ago during the pandemic, where he said he had a 'big problem' with her.
"[A]ll she does is sit there and blame the federal government," Trump said at the time.
UNILAD has contacted Gretchen Whitmer for further comment.