Michigan Dem Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reveals the real reason for THAT Oval Office moment with Trump

The Democrat governor who tried to hide her face from photographers who stumbled upon her waiting to meet with President Trump has spoken out about the awkward encounter.

Michigans Gretchen Whitmer owned the ridicule she has received for the bizarre mishap earlier this week, admitting she wished she acted differently in the moment.

You asked me what was going on in my mind at that moment, Whitmer said on Monday. 

It was I dont want my picture taken — thats all it was.

Whitmer was waiting for Trump in the Oval Office when a group of journalists entered the room to watch the president sign executive orders.

She awkwardly held up two blue folders in an effort to cover her face as pictures were taken.

One image taken by New York Times photographer Eric Lee shows the liberal governor shielding her face from the cameras while flanked by Trump aides. 

I kinda wish I hadnt put my folder up in front of my face, she said, before adding, but whatever. We all have our moments. 

A photograph of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer holding a stack of blue folders to obscure her face while President Donald Trump addressed reporters in the Oval Office sparked online ridicule

The image, taken on April 9 by the New York Times , showed the 53-year-old Democrat positioned between two White House aides, seemingly attempting to conceal herself just before her meeting with Trump

When Whitmer finally lowered the folder, she looked deeply uncomfortable, with commenters saying she seemed embarrassed to be meeting a political foe.

Her trip to Washington D.C. centered on discussions about tariffs and the aftermath of a severe ice storm, for which she sought a Presidential Emergency Declaration. 

Her office stated she was unexpectedly brought into the Oval Office during Trumps signing of executive orders and proclamations, leading to the photograph. 

Critics interpreted the image as Whitmer attempting to distance herself from the president, even though she was part of a bipartisan delegation advocating for Michigan. 

This looks so stupid and childish, that it needs to be printed & framed in the Oval Office, one X user commented.

Maybe she thought if she couldnt see Trump signing, the economy would magically fix itself in Michigan… another said.

Why didnt she just hold her head up high and express she was there for one reason only - the wellbeing of her state and no matter who is in office she is going to work with them for the better of her people? …like a normal governor should, read a third comment.

Some observers contrasted her apparent discomfort in the Oval Office with her demeanor in previous public appearances. 

I need help understanding Democrat thinking. Gretchen Whitmer was embarrassed to be photographed standing in the Oval Office, but not embarrassed enough to do this, another person added, referencing Whitmers bizarre campaign video of her feeding Doritos to liberal podcast host Liz Plank.

Whitmer, accompanied by Michigan State House Speaker Matt Hall and Trumps cabinet secretaries, stood near the Resolute Desk during the Oval Office appearance. 

Trump used the occasion to announce investigations into Miles Taylor and Christopher Krebs, both individuals who had opposed him during his first term. 

He then publicly addressed Whitmer, stating, Were honored to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, great state of Michigan, and shes been, shes really done an excellent job, very good person. 

Whitmers office clarified to CNN that she was unaware of the signing ceremony and stressed that her presence did not imply endorsement of Trumps orders. 

Yet the image still caused frustration among some Democrats, who felt it compromised her political stance. 

This does not look like the politics of resistance, CNN host Audie Cornish said.

Trump used the occasion to announce investigations into Miles Taylor and Christopher Krebs, both individuals who had opposed him during his first term

Just a f***ing disaster, one Democratic operative told NBC News anonymously. 

It feels like it removes some of the momentum she had as a politically savvy swing-state Dem.

Despite past clashes, Whitmer has reportedly shifted her tone toward Trump during his second term. 

The New York Times reported she sent him a letter the day after his inauguration, thanking him for mentioning the auto industry during his speech and providing her personal cellphone number for direct contact.

Whitmer has long been touted as a future Democrat presidential candidate and knows she will need to win over centrists or small-c conservatives who voted for Trump if she ever does make her own White House run.