In her speech on Wednesday, Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appealed directly to young men, urging them to avoid falling behind previous generations.
She acknowledged the shift of young men toward Trump in the recent election, particularly among Black and Latino men, who were drawn to his economic and job-focused message.
Whitmer, eyeing a potential 2028 presidential run, emphasized her commitment to bridging political divides and finding common ground with Trump, whom she sat next to at a White House dinner days earlier.
She underscored her concern that women have outpaced men in areas like education and home-buying and pledged an executive order to encourage young men to enroll in education and skill-building programs.
Republican House Speaker Matt Hall criticized Whitmer’s approach, suggesting she was still figuring out how to bring men back into the Democratic fold, pointing to the need for her policies to match her rhetoric.
Despite this, Whitmer’s speech highlighted her ongoing commitment to women’s rights, having been a leading advocate for reproductive rights in Michigan. She framed her agenda as collaborative, despite a split Legislature following the Republican takeover of the state House.
However, not all Democrats support her approach. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed concern about Whitmer’s tone in working with Trump, while Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson focused on the need to protect marginalized groups in Michigan.
Whitmer also proposed legislation to limit cellphone use in schools and tax vape products, which received mixed responses from Republicans.