CNN on Friday avoided asking Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer about the bizarre viral video of her giving a Dorito to a left-wing influencer.
Whitmer appeared on CNN to respond to critical remarks former President Trump made about Detroit during his speech in the city this week, as well as to Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign and questions about her difference with President Biden.
But CNN’s Kate Bolduan didn’t bring up an unusual clip of Whitmer making the rounds on the Internet and media, which a CNN panel had mocked the night before.
Liberal journalist Liz Plank posted a video this week of Whitmer giving her a Doritos chip, with the camera then panning to Whitmer in a Harris-Walz camouflage hat, looking and nodding at the camera, with a cover of the song ” Dilemma” playing in the background. It was part of a viral trend on TikTok where people feed each other.
MICHIGAN GOVERNMENT FEEDS FEMALE PODCAST HOST DORITOS ON KNEES WHILE WEARING A HARRIS-WALZ HAT
Gretchen Whitmer on CNN on October 11, 2024.
It’s unclear why this is popular.
Plank’s kneeling pose sparked criticism that Whitmer was, deliberately or inadvertently, mocking Holy Communion recipients with the video, in addition to comments that it was strange and off-putting.
“If he doesn’t do it, Gretchen Whitmer will,” read the caption under Plank’s Instagram video post. “Chips aren’t just delicious, the CHIPS Act is a game-changer for U.S. technology and manufacturing, boosting domestic semiconductor production to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers! Donald Trump would endanger that.” The video promoted an interview Plank conducted with Whitmer, who is frequently touted by Democrats as a national gubernatorial candidate.
When asked for comment, a Whitmer political aide said Fox News Digital“The governor’s social media channels are well known for infusing his communications with pop culture.”
The aide added: “This popular trend has been used by countless people, including Billie Eilish, Kylie Jenner and Stephen Colbert, and the fact that people are paying attention to a video promoting President Biden’s CHIPS Act proves it works Republicans want to distract from the fact that Democrats have invested billions of dollars in local economies to create record numbers of jobs and bring back supply chains from abroad, while Donald’s policies. Trump would kill these jobs and send them to China.
GOVERNMENT OF MICHIGAN. WHITMER SAYS PEOPLE SHOULD NOT “GIVE A FUCK” IF TAYLOR SWIFT IS FRIENDS WITH BRITTANY MAHOMES
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. (CNN)
Conservatives widely mocked the video and some claimed it was a parody of Christians. Plank responded that “crazy people” should “chill out,” pointing out that it was part of a viral trend that had nothing to do with Christianity.
CNN discussed the video Thursday evening, with former Trump 2020 campaign official Marc Lotter noting it at the end of CNN NewsNight.
As the video of Whitmer and the woman played, an incredulous Lotter urged politicians, regardless of affiliation, not to try to look “cool and young.”
“It’s grating,” he said.
CNN host Abby Phillip added: “It’s a little cringeworthy. Can we agree on that?”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Joshua Nelson of Fox News contributed to this report.
