Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a prominent surrogate for Vice President Kamala Harris, has sparked a wave of criticism after a video surfaced showing her seemingly mocking the Christian communion rite. In the now-viral clip, Whitmer, wearing a camo hat promoting Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, participated in what critics are calling a "blasphemous" act. The video features Whitmer feeding a feminist podcaster a Dorito, treating it like the Eucharist, a sacred Christian tradition representing the body of Christ.
This irreverent moment occurred during a light-hearted podcast appearance, but the backlash was swift and severe. Many Christians viewed the mock communion as a direct insult to their faith. The Christian rite of communion is deeply meaningful across denominations, with Catholics believing the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ, while Protestants hold that it symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice or that He is spiritually present. The mockery of this solemn practice by a sitting governor has only reinforced perceptions among critics that Whitmer holds religion in contempt.
Wildly disrespectful to Christians. @gretchenwhitmer has been an unmitigated over-political disaster for Michigan. And she was a hair's breadth from being Harris's VP pick. https://t.co/EQ6qckEJk4
— Travis Faber (@TravFaber) October 11, 2024
Conservative commentators were quick to denounce the stunt, describing it as part of a larger pattern of hostility toward religious values within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Greg Price, a journalist who highlighted the video on social media, called attention to the absurdity of the situation. He shared the clip, pointing out the growing divide between liberal elites and the religious values many Americans still hold dear.
The incident is not Whitmer’s first brush with religious controversy. Back in 2021, she caused a stir when she posted a photo of a Stacey Abrams prayer candle, leading some to accuse her of trivializing faith while promoting far-left political figures. Whitmer has also been a strong proponent of abortion rights, further alienating religious conservatives. Under her leadership, Michigan has seen a crackdown on pro-life activists, with several individuals convicted for protesting outside abortion clinics, actions seen by many as politically motivated.
"Stretchin" Gretchen Whitmer during the interview: "I always want to make a seat at the table for someone who doesn't see the world the same way."
After the interview: Mocks Catholicism in heavily sexualized video pic.twitter.com/RpkmbYYx63
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) October 10, 2024
This Dorito incident comes at a time when Whitmer is serving as a key figure in Harris’ campaign, raising questions about how this controversy may affect the Vice President’s already precarious standing among religious voters. Harris has struggled to gain traction within religious communities, and her association with Whitmer could only exacerbate the issue. As the 2024 election season heats up, this incident is expected to remain a flashpoint in the ongoing culture war between secular progressives and religious conservatives.
Meanwhile, many on the left seem unfazed by the backlash. The podcaster involved, Liz Plank, praised the video, pointing to Whitmer's support for the CHIPS Act, a measure aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor production. Plank, who posted the video on her Instagram account, doubled down on her support for Whitmer, claiming that the governor's policies would safeguard progress on economic issues that former President Donald Trump would allegedly threaten.
Still, for religious conservatives, this latest display from a prominent Democratic figure reinforces the perception that progressive leaders are increasingly out of touch with America’s faith communities. While Whitmer and her supporters may have viewed the Dorito stunt as a harmless joke, for many, it is yet another example of the broader cultural divide driving a wedge between political elites and the values of millions of Americans.
As the video continues to spread across social media platforms, it remains to be seen how Whitmer and the Harris campaign will handle the fallout. For now, the uproar seems poised to linger, as conservatives capitalize on this moment to underscore the cultural disconnect they believe is weakening the Democratic Party’s appeal in key voting blocs.
