Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faced scrutiny after she appeared in a social media video wearing a Harris-Walz campaign hat and feeding Doritos to a kneeling podcast host as a promotional stunt for the CHIPS Act. The video showed Whitmer placing a Doritos chip into the mouth of liberal podcaster Liz Plank, who was kneeling on the floor. The clip highlighted the CHIPS and Science Act signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022, which aimed to bring semiconductor supply chains back to the U.S., create jobs, support American innovation, and protect national security. Whitmer’s use of Doritos chips in the video was a clever way to draw attention to the importance of the CHIPS Act.
In the video, Plank wrote in the caption that “Chips aren’t just delicious, the CHIPS Act is a game-changer for U.S. tech and manufacturing, boosting domestic production of semiconductors to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers! Donald Trump would put that at risk.” The video was part of a viral TikTok trend where one person feeds another with the song “Dilemma” by Nelly and Kelly Rowland playing in the background. However, some criticism arose as the video was misinterpreted by some as Whitmer pretending to participate in Holy Communion to mock Christians who partake in the Eucharist. In response to the backlash, Whitmer apologized for the video and clarified that it was not intended to mock people of faith.
Whitmer stated, “Over 25 years in public service, I would never do something to denigrate someone’s faith. I’ve used my platform to stand up for people’s right to hold and practice their personal religious beliefs.” She also mentioned that her team had spoken to the Michigan Catholic Conference about the video, which was meant to highlight the importance of the CHIPS Act to Michigan jobs. However, the video was misconstrued as something it was not intended to be, for which she apologized. The use of Doritos in the video was never intended to offend or mock anyone’s religious beliefs, and Whitmer expressed regret over the misunderstanding that arose from the clip.
Michigan Catholic Bishops condemned Whitmer’s Doritos video stunt as offensive due to the misperception that it was mocking the Catholic practice of Holy Communion. The Bishops criticized Whitmer for the insensitivity demonstrated in the video and expressed disappointment over the lack of thought put into the content before posting it on social media. While Whitmer clarified that the video was meant to highlight the significance of the CHIPS Act rather than mock religious practices, the criticism from the Michigan Catholic Bishops indicated that the segment was seen as disrespectful and inappropriate in the eyes of some religious communities.
Despite the apology issued by Whitmer and the clarification of the video’s intent, it sparked a debate about the boundaries of political promotion and the sensitivity required when addressing religious practices or beliefs. The incident highlighted the need for public figures to be mindful of the messages they convey through their actions, especially in the realm of social media where content can easily be misinterpreted or misrepresented. Moving forward, it is essential for individuals in positions of power, such as Governor Whitmer, to consider the potential impact of their actions on different audiences and ensure that their messaging is respectful and inclusive to avoid offending or alienating any group or community.
In conclusion, the video featuring Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer feeding Doritos to a kneeling podcast host while wearing a Harris-Walz hat was intended to promote the CHIPS Act but sparked controversy due to misconceptions about its content. Whitmer apologized for the misunderstanding and clarified that the video was not meant to mock religious practices. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and awareness when addressing potentially sensitive topics, such as religion, in promotional or political campaigns. Public figures like Whitmer must be mindful of the impact of their actions on various audiences and strive to maintain respectful and inclusive communication to avoid causing offense or controversy.
