(WXYZ) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer responded to criticism she received for the dress she chose to wear during her State of the State address.
On Thursday, Whitmer took to Twitter to call out the Detroit station that aired a news story focusing on the public feedback on her dress.
"That @Fox2News story was way out of line," the governor tweeted Thursday.
Whitmer added that she was "tough" and could take the criticism, while adding that often women's appearances are a point of focus, rather than their accomplishments.
Boys have teased me about my curves since 5th grade. My mom said “hold your head high and don’t let it bother you.”
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) February 14, 2019
That @Fox2News story was way out of line.
I’m tough, I can take it.
Until then, I’ve got a message for all of the women and girls like mine who have to deal with garbage like this every day: I’ve got your back.
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) February 14, 2019
The news piece showed social media responses to Whitmer's "boat-neck blue dress," while listing critical comments from the public.
Fox 2 reporter Erika Erickson, who did the story, responded to backlash of the piece on Twitter by saying that the point of the story was "clearly missed."
If you understood the point of the story, you wouldn't be saying that. But you're entitled to your opinion. It's sad that you're acting just like the people in my story. Have a good one.
— Erika Erickson (@FOX2Erika) February 14, 2019
Fox 2 News Director Kevin Roseborough also released a statement defending the report, writing that the station "chose not to ignore the comments" on Whitmer's appearance, but "instead examine them through person-on-the-street interviews and an expert's opinion."
Read the full statement below:
On Tuesday night, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State address discussed many issues of importance to our state. FOX 2 broadcast and streamed the speech live. We were taken aback by the number and nature of many inappropriate Facebook comments on the governor's physical appearance. We chose not to ignore the comments, and to instead examine them through person-on-the-street interviews and an expert’s opinion on the double standard faced by female leaders. This is not a subject that should be turned away from, and we have extended an invitation to the governor to talk to us about this further.
