Governor Whitmer Faces Backlash Over Summer Travel Tweet Amid European Trip and Gas Tax Holiday Refusal

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is drawing intense criticism after posting on social media about the high cost of summer travel—while simultaneously taking a week-long trip to Europe and refusing to support a state gas tax holiday for Michiganders.

On June 27, 2026, the governor posted on her official Facebook and Instagram accounts, noting that "Tariffs and the war in Iran are jacking up the cost of summer travel, from higher prices at the pump to more expensive airfare" . In the post, she stated that working people deserve to afford a vacation and that she will "keep working to help Michiganders save money" .

The message, which noted the difficulty many Americans face in affording a summer vacation, immediately drew the ire of critics who pointed out the stark contrast with the governor's own schedule. At the time of the post, Whitmer was out of the country leading a "Team Michigan" delegation on a week-long trip to France, Belgium, and Luxembourg .

The governor's office has defended the European excursion as a critical international investment mission designed to strengthen ties with European allies and bring home new opportunities for Michigan workers . According to the governor's office, Whitmer met with executives from companies like Saab and American Rheinmetall, who have committed hundreds of millions of dollars in investment to Michigan communities .

However, Republican lawmakers in Lansing have blasted the timing of the trip. The European travel took place just weeks before the critical July 1 state budget deadline, while negotiations in the divided state legislature were still ongoing.

State Representative Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) argued that productive budget negotiations were placed on hold because the governor wanted to vacation in Europe, according to The Iron Mountain Daily News . "Our schools are waiting on us to get the budget done; we don’t have time for state-funded croissant tastings or TikTok videos in front of the Eiffel Tower," Markkanen stated .

The optics of the governor's overseas trip and her social media post are further complicated by the pain Michigan drivers are currently feeling at the pump. Michigan motorists are facing some of the highest fuel prices in the nation, driven by the ongoing conflict with Iran and changes to the state's fuel tax structure that took effect at the beginning of 2026 .

Under the new system, Michigan eliminated its 6% sales tax on gasoline but replaced it with a higher flat tax, currently set at 52.4 cents per gallon . Unlike the previous sales tax, which fed the state's general fund, the new structure earmarks 98% of the funds collected at the pump specifically for state and local road repairs .

As gas prices have surged, some lawmakers and residents have called for a temporary state gas tax holiday to offer immediate relief. At least three other states Utah, Indiana, and Georgia all have implemented full or partial suspensions of their fuel taxes .

Governor Whitmer, however, has resisted calls to suspend Michigan's state gas tax. While her spokesperson indicated she would support a federal gas tax holiday, the governor has signaled a likely veto for any state-level suspension . Whitmer has argued that a state gas tax holiday would come at the detriment of local and state road repairs, and she previously stated that one state cannot offset the national pressures causing the price spikes .

For many Michigan residents struggling to afford a summer road trip, the combination of high state gas taxes, the governor's European travel, and her social media messaging has struck a discordant note.