Posted on by

Gretchen Whitmer apologizes for Dorito chip communion video

Gretchen Whitmer apologizes for Dorito chip communion video

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer apologized after taking part in a bizarre video stunt in which she appeared to mock the sacrament of Communion.

“In my 25 years of public service, I would never do anything that denigrates a person’s faith. I have used my platform to advocate for people’s rights to hold and practice their personal religious beliefs,” Whitmer said in a statement to Fox 2 Detroit.

“My team has spoken to the Michigan Catholic Conference. What was supposed to be a video about what the CHIPS law means to Michigan jobs was interpreted as something it was never intended to be, and I apologize for that.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer apologized after offending Catholics with a social media video. Liz Plank
Whitmer took part in the stunt with left-wing influencer Liz Plank. Liz Plank

The controversy erupted after Whitmer made a film with left-wing influencer Liz Plank that showed Plank on her knees while Whitmer put a Dorito in her mouth. The camera then panned to an amused-looking Whitmer wearing a Harris Walz campaign hat.

The spot appeared to be a variation of a viral TikTok meme in which friends feed each other food before staring uncomfortably into the camera. The 2022 CHIPS Act, signed by President Biden, authorized nearly $280 billion in domestic spending for domestic research, particularly in STEM fields.

Whitmer is a top surrogate for Vice President Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign, and the confusion comes as Harris faces skepticism from Catholic voters over a series of slights.

About 18% of Michigan residents are Catholic and the state is a crucial battleground in 2024. The state’s Catholic conference strongly condemned the skit, saying the imagery went far beyond the viral meme.

Whitmer said the video is intended to raise awareness about the importance of the CHIPS Act to jobs in Michigan. Liz Plank

“The skit goes beyond the viral online trend that inspired it, specifically imitating the posture and gestures of Catholics as they receive the Holy Eucharist, in which we believe that Jesus Christ is truly present,” said Paul A. Long , President of the Michigan Catholic Conference CEO.

“Not only is it distasteful or ‘weird,’ it is an all-too-familiar example of an elected official mocking religious figures and their practices. While dialogue with the Governor’s Office on this issue is appreciated, whether or not the insult to Catholics and the Eucharist was intended, it has had an offensive effect.”