Michigan taxpayers funded an approximately $180,000 six‑day trip to France, Belgium and Luxembourg for Governor Gretchen Whitmer and a ten‑person delegation in June. The expenses, detailed in documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, break down to roughly $40,000 for airfare, nearly $100,000 for hotel rooms, $18,000 for meals, $6,000 for ground transportation and $6,000 for miscellaneous items such as a $3,400 Notre Dame tour.
Critics question the timing and necessity
Republican leaders seized on the cost as budget negotiations stalled. State Rep. Greg Markkanen (R‑Hancock) said, “Productive budget negotiations are on hold because the governor wanted to go vacation in Europe. 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.”
Governor’s office frames the trip as an economic mission
Whitmer’s team described the journey as an “international investment mission” aimed at strengthening ties with European allies and showcasing Michigan’s leadership in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense and innovation. The governor said the trip would “bring home new opportunities that create good‑paying jobs for Michiganders.”
The delegation attended Eurosatory, a major defense and security expo in Paris, where Whitmer was the only U.S. governor present. MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer Jr. added that such engagements help position Michigan businesses for growth and reinforce the state’s reputation as a trusted global partner.
Business outcomes cited by the administration
According to the governor’s office, 12 Michigan‑based companies exhibited at Eurosatory through the state’s international trade program. Meetings with executives from firms such as Saab, American Rheinmetall and RENK Group reportedly resulted in commitments of “hundreds of millions of dollars in investment and more than 800 jobs” for Michigan communities.
Historical context and future inquiries
This is not Whitmer’s first overseas trip to draw scrutiny. A 2025 trip reportedly cost roughly $1 million, and a January 2026 visit to Switzerland was billed at $61,000. The Center Square is still awaiting a FOIA response regarding the cost of Whitmer’s September trip to South Korea and Taiwan.
While the administration emphasizes the potential economic benefits, critics continue to argue that the expense is excessive, especially as the state works through a tight budget and schools await funding.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
