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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats better hope Michigan Gov. Whitmer changes her mind about presidential run
For nearly as long as she's been governor, Gretchen Whitmer has been considered a presidential hopeful. And for nearly as long as she's been considered a presidential hopeful, Michigan's governor has been telling anybody who'd listen that she's actually not. When an interviewer at a Detroit Economic Club forum last month asked Whitmer what she's looking forward to in 2026, when she's term-limited out of office, the governor didn't miss a beat: "Retiring," she replied. Democrats better hope Whitmer was joking, because she may be the party's best hope of reclaiming the White House in 2028. More from Nancy Kaffer: We talked to Whitmer about her new book and asked about tattoos, Gen X and 2028 We could talk here about the other guys likely to seek the 2028 nomination, a list that includes, at minimum, former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and will surely grow over the next three years. But I think it's a better idea to talk about Whitmer. She's a successful purple-state governor with decades of legislative, policymaking and executive experience. She speaks with intelligence and sensitivity on subjects from manufacturing to motherhood. She's got a knack for focusing on substantive issues that offer common ground, like funding our schools and fixing our roads. At 53, she's youthful and energetic ― but seasoned and experienced ― in a party with a surfeit of octogenarians, and she's a woman in a party whose voters, at times, seem disinclined toward white male candidates, at least at the state and congressional levels. Whitmer is an effective advocate for the causes she champions, and, as a mom who seemed to effortlessly balance raising two daughters, now grown, and leading the 10th most populous state in the nation, she's an aspirational figure for thousands of Michigan women who can't remember if they put money in their kid's school lunch account. (OK, it's me. I'm Michigan women.) Whitmer was elected and re-elected by wide margins, and her approval rating has never dipped below 50%, which is, in these sorry times, a real achievement. "She is a superb retail politician, and a really unique one," said pollster Richard Czuba of the Glengariff Group. "You watch her work a rope line, and she makes everyone feel seen. And she comes from a state that's a must-win for a Democrat." More from Freep Opinion: Trump's attacks on your access to news are all part of Project 2025 There's no denying that her willingness to work with President Donald Trump has disappointed some Democrats who would prefer blanket opposition to hopeful collaboration. That centrist thing, Czuba said, is really only a problem for the far flanks of both parties ― and they're not the swing voters who decide elections, in Michigan or in the U.S. "We did this question last year: Should an elected official cross party lines and negotiate with the other party to get something done, or should elected officials stick to the party's position and stand up for it?" said Czuba, of a survey likely voters for the Detroit Regional Chamber ahead of that year's Mackinac Policy Conference. "It was 70% to 19%." The 19%, he said, were on the far right and the far left. "She's doing exactly what most voters expect of their leaders," Czuba said. "The governor understands the middle in a way that few people understand independent, centrist voters. That's one of her strengths. She pays attention to the center. In a purple state like Michigan, if you don't, you lose. That's how Democrats can win nationally. "They need to pay attention to the center, because if you don't, you lose." This is who Whitmer has always been. Her political sensibility is best described as "cheerfully determined,' and if there were an Olympic event in keeping your cool, this lady would hold the gold medal. As late as January 2018, powerful Democratic men ― including Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ― were working to replace Whitmer on the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial ballot. Her response? "I'm staying focused on running a campaign that can win, so we can get Michigan back to being a state our kids will stay in when they graduate …" Whitmer told me that year. "I'm eager to build the coalition … I'm eager to work with anyone who wants to solve problems." In 2019, when then-Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, a Republican, called her "batshit crazy" to a crowd of supporters, or said in 2021 that he and the GOP Legislature had "spanked" Whitmer "hard" on the budget and appointments, the governor wasn't mad, just disappointed: "I think that we deserve better, frankly, but I'm not going to spend my energy there because I've got a lot of important things that I'm working on that the people of our state need us to be all-successful on." In her most recent State of the State, with Republicans back at the helm of the House of Representatives, Whitmer stayed on collaborative message: 'I took an oath to serve the people of Michigan — all the people. That's my commitment to you no matter who is in the White House or on the other side of the table in Lansing. Yes, I do hope to find common ground with President Trump and work with the Democratic Senate and Republican House on our shared priorities.' Whitmer doesn't start fights, but she's not a pushover. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she went toe-to-toe with Trump, who dubbed her "the woman from Michigan," and in 2022 she led the charge to enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution after Roe v. Wade was overturned. She's a staunch supporter of civil rights, women's rights and LBGTQ+ rights, and she has made it clear that won't change. The Econ Club interview last month came on the heels of a rough week for Michigan's governor. A meeting with Trump, set to discuss a new fighter mission for Selfridge Air Force Base and invasive Asian carp in the Great Lakes, had taken a turn: After exchanging pleasant remarks with Whitmer and Michigan's Republican House Speaker Matt Hall, a wave of cameras poured into the Oval Office as Trump signed two executive orders authorizing politically motivated investigations of staffers who served in his first term. An uncomfortable Whitmer edged away from the action, at one point holding a folder in front of her face as a photographer snapped a picture. The image, published a few days later by the New York Times, reverberated through the political world. ("What was going through my mind at that moment?" she said to the Econ Club interviewer. "'I don't want my picture taken.'") I got dozens of texts the day the picture published, mostly from political insiders who saw The Folder Incident as Whitmer's Howard Dean scream. (Which, of course, is not actually what ended 2004 candidate Dean's presidential ambitions ... but we're still talking about it, 21 years later.) As story unfolded, some of the Democratic insiders and national pundits who had been enamored with the notion of Whitmer as a presidential contender soured on the governor. The honeymoon, it seemed, was over. I didn't feel so great about The Folder Incident myself. It was unpleasant to watch a strong female governor treated that way, and the image, I thought, would reverberate. But outside the political bubble, it was a different story. When I floated the suggestion that this might tank Whitmer's presidential future past a friend who's not knee-deep in politics, my friend was skeptical. "Hmm. I guess we'll see. The 2028 election is a long way away," she said. "Some people will just see it as, 'I have nothing to do with this.'" My friend isn't alone. In an Epic MRA poll conducted between April 28 and May 5 ― two weeks after the Oval Office meeting ― 52% of Michiganders said they approved of Whitmer's performance as governor, consistent with previous polls. In the same survey, just 41% said the same of Trump. A few weeks later, that new fighter mission at Selfridge Whitmer went to the White House to discuss ― it happened. Most folks in jobs like mine have responded to Whitmer's repeated assertions that she's into the job she has, not the one everyone thinks she wants, with mild eye-rolling to outright scoffing. But I believe her. When Whitmer says she's not running in 2028, it doesn't sound coy. It's been a punishing seven years, complete with a pandemic and a murder/kidnapping plot that an astounding number of people somehow see as a punchline or a put-up, and it's easy to imagine that she's ready for a break. Still, if I were a Democratic strategist, I'd be wondering whether I could persuade Whitmer to change her mind. Democrats want to win, but winning elections isn't just about numbers on the board. Voters are people, people whose lives are affected by who sits in the governor's mansion, or in the Oval Office. What Democrats need is to reconnect with voters, and Whitmer is among the few Democrats willing ― or able ― to give the party what it needs. Nancy Kaffer is the editorial page editor of the Detroit Free Press. Contact: nkaffer@ Submit a letter to the editor at and we may publish it online and in print. Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Is Whitmer running for president? Democrats better hope so. | Opinion
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Donald Trump becomes a grandfather as daughter welcomes baby boy, Alexander Trump Boulos
Tiffany Trump with her husband Michael Boulos on their wedding. The couple this week welcomed their first child, a boy named Alexander Trump Boulos. Image: Instagram/Se-Anne Rall Tiffany Trump has announced the birth of her first child. The daughter of US President Donald Trump, 31, had the baby with husband Michael Boulos, 27, and she shared the news in a joint post with her partner on social media by posting an image of her cradling her newborn's foot. She captioned the image: 'Welcome to the world our sweet baby boy, Alexander Trump Boulos. We love you beyond words! Thank you for coming into our lives! 5.15.2025." The couple's son, born on 15 May, is the first grandchild of Donald Trump, 78. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ News of Tiffany's pregnancy was first made public in October 2024, when Trump announced it during remarks at the Detroit Economic Club. He said: 'He happens to be the father of Tiffany's husband, Michael, who's a very exceptional young guy. And she's an exceptional young woman. And she's going to have a baby. So that's nice.' A spokesperson for Tiffany confirmed the pregnancy shortly after the speech. Tiffany, the only child of Trump and his second wife Marla Maples, married Michael in November 2022. The ceremony took place at the Trump family's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. Michael is the son of Dr Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-born businessman whose family owns a multibillion-dollar conglomerate operating in Nigeria. He and Tiffany couple reportedly met in 2018 while attending an event at Lindsay Lohan's club in Mykonos, Greece. They announced their engagement in January 2021, the day before Trump left office after his first term as president. Tiffany shared the news with followers in a post showing the couple smiling on the White House lawn, writing: 'It has been an honour to celebrate many milestones, historic occasions and create memories with my family here at the White House, none more special than my engagement to my amazing fiancé Michael! Feeling blessed and excited for the next chapter!' According to a source cited by People, Michael proposed in the White House Rose Garden with a $1.2 million diamond ring. Tiffany studied law at Georgetown University and has largely stayed out of the political spotlight, though she did speak at the 2020 Republican National Convention. Bang Showbiz
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Donald Trump becomes a grandfather as daughter welcomes baby boy, Alexander Trump Boulos
Tiffany Trump with her husband Michael Boulos on their wedding. The couple this week welcomed their first child, a boy named Alexander Trump Boulos. Image: Instagram/Se-Anne Rall Tiffany Trump has announced the birth of her first child. The daughter of US President Donald Trump, 31, had the baby with husband Michael Boulos, 27, and she shared the news in a joint post with her partner on social media by posting an image of her cradling her newborn's foot. She captioned the image: 'Welcome to the world our sweet baby boy, Alexander Trump Boulos. We love you beyond words! Thank you for coming into our lives! 5.15.2025." The couple's son, born on 15 May, is the first grandchild of Donald Trump, 78. News of Tiffany's pregnancy was first made public in October 2024, when Trump announced it during remarks at the Detroit Economic Club. He said: 'He happens to be the father of Tiffany's husband, Michael, who's a very exceptional young guy. And she's an exceptional young woman. And she's going to have a baby. So that's nice.' A spokesperson for Tiffany confirmed the pregnancy shortly after the speech. Tiffany, the only child of Trump and his second wife Marla Maples, married Michael in November 2022. The ceremony took place at the Trump family's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. Michael is the son of Dr Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-born businessman whose family owns a multibillion-dollar conglomerate operating in Nigeria. He and Tiffany couple reportedly met in 2018 while attending an event at Lindsay Lohan's club in Mykonos, Greece. They announced their engagement in January 2021, the day before Trump left office after his first term as president. Tiffany shared the news with followers in a post showing the couple smiling on the White House lawn, writing: 'It has been an honour to celebrate many milestones, historic occasions and create memories with my family here at the White House, none more special than my engagement to my amazing fiancé Michael! Feeling blessed and excited for the next chapter!' According to a source cited by People, Michael proposed in the White House Rose Garden with a $1.2 million diamond ring. Tiffany studied law at Georgetown University and has largely stayed out of the political spotlight, though she did speak at the 2020 Republican National Convention. Bang Showbiz
India Today
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Donald Trump becomes grandpa again as Tiffany gives birth to son
US President Donald Trump is officially 'Grandpa Trump' once Trump, the youngest daughter of Donald Trump, announced the birth of her first child, a baby boy named Alexander Trump Boulos, on Thursday. The 31-year-old shared the joyful news on social media.'Welcome to the world, our sweet baby boy, Alexander Trump Boulos,' she posted in a touching message. 'We love you more than words! Thank you for entering our world!' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tiffany Trump (@tiffanytrump)advertisementThe announcement came alongside a tender black-and-white photo, showing the newborn's foot gently cradled in a hand — a symbol of the family's happiness and emotional bond with their newest reported by The Hill, Tiffany shares the child with husband Michael Boulos, a Lebanese-born businessman. The couple married in a glamorous 2022 ceremony at Mar-a-Lago. Since then, they've kept a relatively low profile. The birth of their son marks a new chapter for the is the only child from Donald Trump's marriage to actress and television personality Marla Trump first hinted at the pregnancy during an October 2024 appearance at the Detroit Economic Club, where he told the crowd: 'She's a wonderful young woman. And she's going to have a baby. So that's nice.'Last month, Tiffany's sister, Ivanka Trump, also celebrated the news by sharing photos from Tiffany's baby shower. 'Tiff, you're going to be the most wonderful mama. Your baby boy is already so loved — and so lucky to have you!' Ivanka wrote on READ: Michelle Obama jokes about thermostat wars with Barack: 'He's scared of it now'Trending Reel
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Tiffany Trump announces birth of her first child
Tiffany Trump has announced the birth of her first child. The daughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, 31, had the baby with husband Michael Boulos, 27, and she shared the news in a joint post with her partner on social media by posting an image of her cradling her newborn's foot. She captioned the image: 'Welcome to the world our sweet baby boy, Alexander Trump Boulos. We love you beyond words! 'Thank you for coming into our lives! 5.15.2025,' The couple's son, born on 15 May, is the first grandchild of Donald Trump, 78. News of Tiffany's pregnancy was first made public in October 2024, when Trump announced it during remarks at the Detroit Economic Club. He said: 'He happens to be the father of Tiffany's husband, Michael, who's a very exceptional young guy. And she's an exceptional young woman. And she's going to have a baby. So that's nice.' A spokesperson for Tiffany confirmed the pregnancy shortly after the speech. Tiffany, the only child of Trump and his second wife Marla Maples, married Michael in November 2022. The ceremony took place at the Trump family's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. Michael is the son of Dr Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-born businessman whose family owns a multibillion-dollar conglomerate operating in Nigeria. He and Tiffany couple reportedly met in 2018 while attending an event at Lindsay Lohan's club in Mykonos, Greece. They announced their engagement in January 2021, the day before Trump left office after his first term as president. Tiffany shared the news with followers in a post showing the couple smiling on the White House lawn, writing: 'It has been an honour to celebrate many milestones, historic occasions and create memories with my family here at the White House, none more special than my engagement to my amazing fiancé Michael! Feeling blessed and excited for the next chapter!' According to a source cited by People, Michael proposed in the White House Rose Garden with a $1.2 million diamond ring. Tiffany studied law at Georgetown University and has largely stayed out of the political spotlight, though she did speak at the 2020 Republican National Convention.
