LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Several female Michigan Democrat politicians have made the news recently in what some have called an embarrassment to the state.
Sleeping on the job.
The most recent was when U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) was caught on video sleeping during a recent congressional meeting.
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Townhall.com posted it May 14 at 12:09 p.m. and at 2 p.m. May 15, it had more than 1.4 million views.
“Been up for 31 hours straight fighting Republicans trying to gut Medicaid,” Dingell posted in a comment she pinned to the top of her X account. “Closed my eyes to think about an America where everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.”
Commenters on X responded.
“Mike has got you covered” said one person who posted a photoshopped image of Mike Lindell, the My Pillow Guy, holding one of his pillows behind the sleeping Dingell’s head.
“Doesn’t look like fighting, more like sleeping,” another X commenter posted.
Plastic wrap politics.
But Dingell’s nap is just one of many moments that have focused the spotlight on Dem women politicians.
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In April, security footage caught State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township) wrapping GOP Rep. Matt Maddock’s (R-Mildord) car with cling wrap over what she claimed was a poor parking job. As Michigan News Source previously reported, “Afterwards, Brixie used her speaking privileges on the House floor to lie about Rep. Maddock’s car. She said his car had the lights on, hood up, and the engine running, but none of that was true.”
Also in April, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer went viral when she tried to cover her face with folders while standing in the background during a press conference at the White House.
“It’s rare when you get a shot of the EXACT moment a politician’s career ends, but there you go,” Keith Olbermann, a former liberal host on MSNBC, posted on X.
In February, State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) told a crowd she underwent a sterilization surgery so she couldn’t get pregnant during President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Michigan Girlboss Moment.”
Anna Hoffman, a conservative social media influencer, posted a poll on her X account that cited all the viral moments and more involving what she called, “Most embarrassing Michigan Girlboss Moment.” She asked her followers to vote on it.
Republican activist Meghan Reckling said it was not a laughing matter.
“Unfortunately, these viral moments aren’t isolated incidents—they’re part of a growing pattern that paints Michigan’s political leadership as unserious and out of touch,” Reckling said in an email to Michigan News Source. “From Attorney General Dana Nessel being so intoxicated at a college football game that she had to be wheeled out, to Governor Whitmer hiding behind a folder at a press conference, and Rep. Dingell appearing to sleep through her duties—the national impression is clear: our state leadership is more focused on theatrics and personal antics than on governing responsibly.”
Reckling continued: “Michigan deserves leaders who lead with professionalism, accountability, and respect for the offices they hold. What we’re seeing instead is a series of self-inflicted embarrassments that do real damage to the credibility of our state—not just with voters, but with national partners, investors, and institutions watching from the outside.”