SALINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is making headlines after a hot-mic moment at a major economic development event, where she appeared to use colorful language while discussing local opposition to the project.

During a June 1 groundbreaking ceremony for the massive $16 billion AI data center project in Washtenaw County’s Saline Township known as “The Barn,” Whitmer appears to have dropped an F-bomb while speaking with Oracle executive Clay Magouyrk.

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The project, being developed for Oracle and OpenAI, is being touted as the largest economic development investment in Michigan history. Whitmer joined Magouyrk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other executives at the event despite ongoing opposition from many local residents. During their conversation, Whitmer appeared to shrug off that resistance, joking, “We’re used to people saying ‘f*** no’ and doing it anyway.”

While the audio is somewhat difficult to decipher and it is unclear whether an expletive was actually used, the governor’s broader message appeared unmistakable: opposition is expected, but the project is moving forward regardless.

In many ways, the governor’s comment sums up her economic development strategy. Whether it’s the now-defunct Gotion battery plant proposal or the CATL-linked Marshall megasite – or “The Barn” – Whitmer has repeatedly backed large-scale projects even as local residents have voiced concerns and stood in fierce opposition to them.

The China connection.

One issue critics continue to raise is China. Gotion is a Chinese battery manufacturer whose parent company, Gotion High-Tech, is headquartered in China and has faced scrutiny over ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

CATL, the battery manufacturer tied to Ford’s Marshall battery plant project, remains on the Pentagon’s updated list of Chinese military companies released Monday, June 8. The Department of Defense reaffirmed the designation in its annual update.

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Oracle, while an American company headquartered in Texas, has maintained business operations and partnerships in China for decades and has faced scrutiny over its role hosting U.S. TikTok user data.

When residents say no, Lansing says yes.

Supporters argue these big megasite projects bring jobs, investment and economic growth. Critics counter that Michigan taxpayers should not be subsidizing projects tied to companies with significant connections to China.

Whitmer’s hot mic remark may have been a joke, but opponents say it reflects a broader reality: residents can object, communities can protest and critics can raise environmental and security concerns, but Lansing moves forward anyway.