Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) shared a Taylor Swift-themed social media post to promote her sixth State of the State address on Wednesday, and both praise and disdain poured in to react to the message.
“Are you ready for it? Join me live tonight at 7pm for Michigan’s 2024 State of the State address,” the governor posted on social media with an image of “1989” artwork listing similar songs to Swift’s bestselling 1989 album.
Whitmer revised the original Swift songs with Michigan themes and listed them as “Gretchen’s Version.” The song “Welcome to Michigan” was a play on Swift’s “Welcome to New York.” “Gretchen’s Version” is a nod to when Swift released rerecordings of her discography last October and named them “Taylor’s Version” to reflect updated vocals and music arrangements of her top hits.
Another fake track on Whitmer’s post was “Out of the Woods Without Raising Taxes By a Dime.”
“What the hell? I’m so sorry you have a teenaged governor, Michigan,” journalist Jennifer Van Laar said in response on social media.
“Everyone involved in this tweet… straight to GITMO,” journalist Mark Hemingway quipped.
“Only this level of cringe could make me thankful Biden chose Kamala,” journalist Kaylee McGhee White said.
Swiftie fans also weighed in to praise Whitmer’s social media post.
“Whoever does @GovWhitmer social media needs a raise,” one person said in response.
“I live in Ohio but I’ll literally never stop obsessing over this queen,” another person said, referencing the fake song list by the Michigan governor that included “Bad Blood in Ohio.“
Whitmer later used her State of the State address on Wednesday night to continue the theme of talking about music and her administration’s achievements in Michigan.
“Like some of you, I am a product of the ’80s. I love big hair and bold leather jackets, classic movies and, of course, classic rock. All great albums from the ’80s have some things in common: chart-topping hits that everyone loves, deep cuts for the fans, and some experimental tracks. At their best, these timeless records whose impact transcends a single year or artist,” she said at the beginning of her speech.
She continued, “At our best, that’s what we aspire to do too. Get things done that outlast us. Make policy for future generations. Over the past year, like any great record or album, had something in it for everyone. And all of the tracks, or policies, were bound by a common theme: making a real difference in people’s lives.”
Whitmer’s address was filled with 1980s references to tout her record of accomplishments in Michigan.
“We all know girls just want to have fun — and pay down debt. So we did! Since I took office, we have paid down $18 billion of state debt,” Whitmer said, making a Cyndi Lauper reference.
After touting the repeal of an “extreme abortion ban” in Michigan, the governor then celebrated free school lunches and breakfasts “for every sweet child of ours,” referencing a Guns N’ Roses song.
Whitmer has previously made Swiftie references in other social media posts, including when the singer performed in Michigan as a part of her Eras tour.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“First of all, it’s important to know that Michigan is in its fearless era,” Whitmer said in a TikTok post.
She added a lyric reference to Swift’s song “Lover,” “This is our place, we make the rules.”
