Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is facing a wave of backlash after a viral video showed her feeding a Dorito to feminist podcaster Liz Plank, who was kneeling in front of the governor. The short clip, part of Plank’s “Chip Chat” feature where guests discuss their favorite snacks, quickly drew outrage on social media, particularly among Catholics.

The scene, with Whitmer wearing a camouflage Kamala Harris hat and feeding a Nacho Cheese Dorito to a kneeling Plank, was seen by many as a direct mockery of the Catholic Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Catholics, conservative commentators, and faith-based groups were quick to condemn the video. The organization CatholicVote expressed disgust, calling the moment a “mockery of Catholics and the sacrament of Holy Communion.”

Brian Burch, president of the group, demanded an apology from Whitmer, accusing her of continuing what he described as the Democratic Party’s “hateful tradition of mocking Catholics and people of faith.” He further lambasted the video for its “distasteful pornographic innuendo,” adding fuel to the religious and moral outrage that has ensued.

NEW: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer feeds a chip to a begging liberal podcaster on her knees in an effort to get more votes for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

Whitmer joined Canadian feminist Liz Plank for an abortion podcast episode.

The pair released the following video as a… pic.twitter.com/yiSH5hypud

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 10, 2024

The Eucharist, where Catholics receive a host believed to be the body of Christ while kneeling, is one of the most sacred rituals in the Catholic faith. The imagery of Whitmer feeding a kneeling podcaster a Dorito, while gazing directly at the camera, struck many as disrespectful and offensive.

Conservative podcaster Liz Wheeler took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the Michigan governor, writing, “Democrat Gov Gretchen Whitmer blasphemes the Eucharist, feeding a Dorito to a leftist podcaster as if it’s Holy Communion.”

Others echoed the sentiment, with Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles likening the act to the behavior of a “decadent empire,” while conservative blogger Ed Morrissey questioned how a politician could be “that stupid” to engage in something so easily interpreted as mocking religious ritual.

Social media reactions ranged from outrage to bewilderment. The viral nature of the video quickly sparked debate over whether the governor’s actions were intentionally provocative or simply a bizarre misstep. Libs of TikTok, a popular conservative account, expressed confusion: “What is happening here. What is Gretchen doing. I have so many questions.”

The video’s release comes at a time when Democrats, including Whitmer, have been increasingly scrutinized for their handling of faith-based issues. Critics argue that the stunt further alienates religious communities who already feel marginalized by the party’s policies. Whitmer, who has often been positioned as a potential future leader within the Democratic Party, now faces the challenge of managing the fallout from what many see as an unnecessary and offensive gesture.