Bill Donohue

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer dug herself a new hole when she offered a fundamentally dishonest apology, and then had her press secretary lie about what happened.

Whitmer said she would “never do something to denigrate someone’s faith,” which, of course, she did. Indeed, it is the very reason she was forced to say something. She also said the video that she shot with podcaster Liz Plank was supposed to be “about the importance of the CHIPS Act.” This is risible on the face of it—no one is buying it. We all know what she was doing: mocking the Eucharist.

Stacey LaRouche, Whitmer’s press secretary, lied when she said, “Liz is not kneeling in the video.” Plank also lied when she said, “No one was on their knees. I’m sitting on a couch that’s visible in the shot.”

The picture doesn’t lie. To see it click here.

Plank was sitting on a couch for the interview, but when she pretended to be receiving Holy Communion, she got on her knees. Whitmer then placed a Dorito chip on her tongue. This is not debatable.

The only reason Whitmer said anything is because we contacted every parish in the state of Michigan, as well as every state lawmaker. We also blanketed the media. News stories exploded on radio and TV, and it was covered by newspapers and internet news and commentary sites across the nation. Michigan Catholics took it from there and let their voices be heard. Good for them.

Whitmer could have put her anti-Catholic stunt behind her by issuing a sincere apology. Instead she decided to lie about it. Doubling down on her bigoted attack—ridiculing the most sacred aspect of the Mass—is a decision that will come back to haunt her. Bet on it.

Contact Whitmer’s office of communications: Press@Michigan.gov