Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) offered some defense for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s (D-MI) recent appearance with President Donald Trump, citing how presidents should receive “credit” whenever they aid governors.
Whitmer’s appearance was made during Trump’s visit to Michigan at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base on Tuesday, during which she thanked the president for the “recapitalization at Selfridge,” referring to how a new fighter squadron had just been secured to protect the base’s operations. While some have criticized her for finding common ground with Trump, Beshear offered a different take.
“As a governor, when any president of any party does something that helps your people, you ought to give them credit,” Beshear said on Fox News’s The Story with Martha MacCallum. “I will say that Donald Trump’s [Federal Emergency Management Agency] is doing a very good job in Kentucky responding to natural disasters. He has okayed individual assistance to our families in two separate natural disasters, and for that, we’re grateful.”
The Kentucky governor further explained that governors are meant to improve the lives of their state’s residents, regardless of the political party with which they are affiliated. As such, he contended that credit should be given where it is due when the sitting president aids governors in this mission.
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Whitmer’s appearance comes as she is considered a possible contender for the Democratic Party in the 2028 presidential election. Other contenders within the party include Govs. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and JB Pritzker (D-IL).
On Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump was “trolling” regarding rumblings he would run for president again in 2028 but noted that the “Trump 2028” hats being sold by the Trump Organization are “flying off the shelves.” Leavitt also said that Trump is serious about acquiring Canada, suggesting its residents “would benefit greatly” from it.