Embattled Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer picked an odd time to attack the state’s DeVos family, a founder of the giant Amway health, beauty, and home care firm that has been loading up the state with the personal protective equipment sought in the coronavirus crisis.
Whitmer, facing a recall movement after extending the state’s virus lockdown, lashed out at the “DeVos family” Monday, claiming that they are behind an upcoming protest from conservatives in the state.
Then today, after the family rejected the attack, she tried to play nice and issued a statement praising their firm, founded by Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos. Dick DeVos, Rich’s son, whose wife is Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, is Amway’s former president and is now on the board.
On Monday, at a press conference to give an update on the virus, she slapped at the planned Wednesday protest in Lansing by the Michigan Conservative Coalition, claiming it was funded by the DeVos-backed Michigan Freedom Fund.
“I also would just say, I think this group is funded in large part by the DeVos family. And I think it’s really inappropriate for a sitting member of the United States president’s Cabinet to be waging political tax on any governor, but obviously, on me here at home. I think that they should disavow it and encourage people to stay home and be safe,” she said without giving any evidence linking Betsy DeVos to the group.
No apology? We all err, it’s a simple test of integrity… https://t.co/OR1QXUmgs5
— Greg McNeilly (@gregmcneilly) April 14, 2020
But Michigan Freedom Fund Executive Director Tony Daunt rejected the claim.
He told local Fox 17 that his group put a “whopping $250” in a Facebook ad to promote the protest. “And for some reason the governor decided today to make this wild claim that the DeVos family was funding this rally, and I think the Conservative Coalition and the thousands of people who have signed on to that group are offended by that. And as they should be,” he said.
The whiplash today: Whitmer issued a statement of praise for Amway’s help in stocking up the state’s medical facilities with masks, gowns, and other equipment.
“Amway has really stepped up to help keep Kent County families and healthcare workers safe during this time. I’m eager to work with them and every other business that wants to contribute their time and machinery to helping us fight this virus. This is an all hands on deck moment for our state, and we’re working with anyone and everyone to get the personal protective equipment our front line healthcare workers need to stay safe and save lives,” she said.
But it came with no apology to the DeVos family.
In reacting to her statement, Amway stayed positive, as always, and said, “As a family-owned company with deep Michigan roots, supporting our community has always been a priority at Amway. We are especially proud of how our employees have come together here — and around the world — to lend a hand during these challenging times.”
