Michigan Governor hits at trolls for criticizing her ‘curvy’ looks during State of State address

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is hitting back at the critics who picked apart her body and appearance instead of focusing on her State of the State address. 

The 47-year-old Democrat took to the podium for the speech on Tuesday night in Lansing and was inundated with inappropriate comments by social media trolls focusing on her ‘curvy’ figure.

Then local news outlet Fox 2 Detroit published a story on people’s reactions to the body-focused comments. 

Whitmer lashed at the outlet for perpetuating the sexist discourse, writing ‘That Fox 2 News story was way out of line’. 

She slammed the Fox2News story exploring the trolling comments on her body saying ‘That story was way out of line…I’m touch, I can take it’

She said critics missed the point of her speech, which was to see the humanity in one another. She encouraged women experiencing similar bullying assuring them, ‘I’ve got your back’

‘Boys have teased me about my curves since 5th grade. My mom said “hold your head high and don’t let it bother you.” That @Fox2News story was way out of line. I’m tough, I can take it,’ she tweeted on Thursday evening. 

‘In my speech I was encouraging people to see the humanity in one another in this cruel political environment. In an era when so many women are stepping up to lead, I’m hoping people will focus on our ideas and accomplishments instead of our appearance,’ she added

She slammed the outlet for focusing on her appearance rather than her politics and encouraged other women who are forced to deal with similar harassment. 

‘Until then, I’ve got a message for all of the women and girls like mine who have to deal with garbage like this every day: I’ve got your back,’ she tweeted. 

Social media trolls commented on her ‘tight’ dress and her ‘curvy’ figure during her State of the State address on Tuesday in Lansing, Michigan

Whitmer assumed the office of Governor on January 1, 2019

 

The Fox 2 News report shared the above comments by social media trolls, sparking outrage by viewers and politicians across the aisle

Fox’s segment displayed screen shots of sexist and unflattering comments social media users made about Whitmer. Then reporters went out and asked people on the streets their opinions on her dress. 

The report shared troll comments like ‘I’d hit it’, ‘Push up bra, clearly’, and ‘she’s showing off her cans. Why not? You got it? Share it.’

The people they interviewed also seemed to disapprove of the comments. 

One woman said: ‘I think it’s sad we even have to have this discussion at all.’

The outlet has since been blasted by critics and politicians on both sides of the spectrum for amplifying the trolling and sexist comments. 

Still Fox 2 News director Kevin Roseborough defended the story saying the outlet was challenging people to think twice about the double standard on female leaders.  

‘On Tuesday night, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address discussed many issues of importance to our state. FOX 2 broadcast and streamed the speech live. We were taken aback by the number and nature of many inappropriate Facebook comments on the governor’s physical appearance,’ the statement said. 

‘We chose not to ignore the comments, and to instead examine them through person-on-the-street interviews and an expert’s opinion on the double standard faced by female leaders. This is not a subject that should be turned away from, and we have extended an invitation to the governor to talk to us about this further,’ the statement added. 

Still Republican Lee Chatfield, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, blasted the report. 

‘I just saw @FOX2News story about Gov. @grentchenwhitmer’s apparel for #SOTS address. The story is ridiculous & never should have given these losers a platform to make these inappropriate statements. Her speech was what mattered! I support her 100% on this!’

Whitmer assumed the office of Governor on January 1, 2019.