President Donald Trump has shifted the blame for his bungled response to the global pandemic to every entity but the White House. As confirmed cases, deaths, and job losses continue to rise, the President has blamed everyone from the World Health Organization to China to former President Barack Obama.
Another favorite target of his blame has been the governors whom he says aren't "appreciative" enough of his administration's efforts to curb the virus.
For their part, numerous governors have implored the federal government to oversee the distribution of lifesaving medical and testing equipment, only for Trump to say they should fend for themselves, relying on the federal government as a backup.
Most of these governors have instituted stay-at-home and social distancing orders, which health experts say are effective in slowing the spread of the virus, and which Trump falsely implies are as deadly as the virus itself.
One of the governors who's borne the brunt of Trump's frustration has been Michigan's Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Trump has attacked Whitmer on Twitter and from the podium at his daily press briefings.
The lambs were sure to follow.
With Trump's endorsement, protests demanding local leaders defy the advice of health experts and revoke stay-at-home orders have sprouted up across the country.
Some Michigan-based protestors have begun gathering outside of Governor Whitmer's home, demanding that she allow non-essential businesses to reopen.
I'm told this is called “the #MAGA dance."
There are handful of people standing around and a line of cars down the street. pic.twitter.com/98iMFR6ZRt
— Mikenzie Frost (@MikenzieFrost) April 23, 2020
One of the organizers of the demonstrations, Brandon Hall, referred to Governor Whitmer with a new nickname in a statement:
"We are protesting near the Wolverine Queen's taxpayer funded castle to peacefully advocate for re-opening Michigan immediately. We also want to ask her why she does not follow her own order and 'Stay Home, Stay Safe?'"
Hall likely meant to insult Whitmer with the moniker "Wolverine Queen," but there's just one problem.
It's kind of...awesome?
The demonstrators' attempt to help their cause only hurt them.
Not that they had much credibility to begin with.
At least Whitmer can thank them for a bold new nickname.
