Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer apparently lost her connection on virtual media interviews at least two times when pressed on issues like the Hunter Biden trial and her COVID-19 response.
By KATELYN CARALLE, SENIOR U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER
Published: 10:21 EDT, 13 June 2024 | Updated: 10:21 EDT, 13 June 2024
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer apparently lost her connection on virtual media interviews at least two times. In both instances, the Democrat said she could no longer hear the interviewers at the exact moment she was being pressed on some uncomfortable issues – including the Hunter Biden trial and criticism over her response on COVID-19.
Hunter, 54, was found guilty this week of three felonies related to a 2018 firearms purchase. Whitmer is co-chair of President Joe Biden 's 2024 campaign and is considered a voice for his reelection efforts.
She was on the shortlist to be his running mate in 2020. She was also considered someone who could be the Democratic presidential nominee in November in the instance Biden did not run for reelection. Speaking with CNN on Sunday in a virtual interview, Whitmer claimed to start to lose her connection at the moment State of the Union host Dana Bash was asking her to respond to the guilty ruling against Biden's son.
'Hunter Biden – he is on trial for obtaining and possessing a firearm while under the influence of illegal drugs, which was against the law. Republican Lindsey Graham says that 'an average American would not have been prosecuted for this,' Bash started but was cut off by the governor. 'Dana, are you there?' Whitmer asked while a faint dialing noise could be heard in the background. She appeared to be looking at an aide off-camera.
'Yes, governor. Can you hear me?' Bash asked, before adding: 'Ok, it sounds like the governor can't hear me. We are going to take a very quick commercial break and get this fixed and we'll be right back. Don't go anywhere.' Whitmer's state is vital for the 2024 presidential election.
Michigan is a swing state that went red for Donald Trump by a tiny 0.3 percent margin and swung blue for Biden in 2020 by a 2.8 percent margin. Some users on X were quick to point out that Whitmer has 'lost audio' or been disconnected from interviews in the past at convenient times when she was facing tough questions.
Speaking with Fox 2 Detroit previously, Whitmer suddenly said she couldn't hear anymore when she was asked about her record on handling COVID-19 in Michigan. 'When it comes to your handling of the pandemic, we all know the critics over the last few years. Do you have any regrets and is this – ?' the anchor started to ask the governor in the virtual interview.
'I'm sorry,' Whitmer cut in while touching the earpiece and it appeared she or an aide off camera said: 'Oh, [expletive].' 'Can you hear me OK?' the anchor asked. 'You got me governor?' 'Did I do that when I touched the ear thing?' Whitmer asked to the off-camera aide, explaining: 'It started to fall out.'
'No, it's OK,' the aide replied. As the governor of a purple state, Whitmer has gained widespread criticism for her COVID-19 pandemic response for being one of the most restrictive in the country.
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