Trump Assigns Fighter Jet Mission to Michigan Base \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump announced a new F-15EX fighter jet mission for Selfridge Air National Guard Base, easing closure fears and marking a bipartisan win for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The moment included a rare public handshake and praise between the longtime political rivals. The base supports 5,000 jobs and $850M in economic activity.
Quick Looks
- Trump announces F-15EX jets for Selfridge base, replacing aging A-10s.
- Whitmer, a frequent Trump critic, receives rare praise for her advocacy.
- The base generates $850 million in Michigan economic activity.
- Located north of Detroit, Selfridge supports 5,000 military and civilian jobs.
- Trump called the base essential to U.S. air defense.
- Whitmer calls the recapitalization “crucial for the Michigan economy.”
- Bipartisan moment surprises amid rising political tension.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also visited Selfridge separately.
Deep Look
In a rare moment of bipartisan unity, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan will receive a new fleet of F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, replacing the outgoing A-10s and safeguarding the base’s future. The decision marks a major strategic and political development in Michigan — and one that unexpectedly benefited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a longtime critic of the president.
Standing at the air base 30 miles north of Detroit, Trump proclaimed the announcement as a personal victory, telling the crowd, “In recent years, many in Michigan have feared for the future of the base… Today I have come in person to lay to rest any doubt about Selfridge’s future.”
The base’s new mission comes after years of lobbying by Whitmer, who has prioritized keeping Selfridge operational due to its military and economic importance. While Whitmer has sparred with Trump in the past, she has softened her approach recently in pursuit of common ground — and Tuesday’s developments delivered exactly that.
A Hug, A Handshake, or a Political Gamble?
Footage from Trump’s arrival showed the two leaders exchanging a brief handshake and leaning in — a moment some described as a hug, symbolizing a surprising thaw in relations. Whitmer later downplayed the encounter, clarifying to the Associated Press: “We shook hands, and he leaned in to tell me, you know, congratulations and that I was a big reason that we were making an announcement today.”
Still, it was a striking visual: a Republican president and a Democratic governor, often at ideological odds, sharing a public show of civility amid the partisan grind of an election year.
Whitmer has been floated as a potential Democratic presidential contender, and the announcement hands her a significant win — but not without risk. Some in her party believe any form of cooperation with Trump undermines the broader opposition narrative. Critics argue that Whitmer may face backlash for appearing too conciliatory toward a president many Democrats view as dangerously divisive.
Selfridge’s Long Fight for a New Mission
The future of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, one of Michigan’s most strategic defense sites, has hung in the balance for years. The Air Force announced in 2017 that Selfridge had lost its bid to house F-35A Lightning II jets, prompting fears that the base’s days might be numbered as its aging A-10 Warthogs neared retirement.
Since then, Whitmer and other state officials — including Sen. Gary Peters — have pressed multiple administrations, including both the Trump and Biden White Houses, to secure a new aircraft mission that would keep the base relevant and active. Peters’ office estimates that Selfridge contributes more than $850 million annually to Michigan’s economy and supports approximately 5,000 military and civilian personnel.
Trump’s Tuesday announcement revealed that the base would be assigned 21 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, described by the president as “fresh off the line.” The move ensures Selfridge’s long-term viability and upgrades its operational capabilities in the North American air defense network.
Whitmer Navigates Political Optics
Despite her early clashes with Trump during the pandemic and beyond, Whitmer has taken a more pragmatic tone recently, especially when it comes to Michigan’s economic and defense interests. Earlier this month, she traveled to Washington to discuss Selfridge and other Michigan concerns, including trade tariffs, with Trump.
In an awkward photo-op during that Oval Office meeting, Whitmer was pictured trying to shield her face from the cameras, a moment that went viral and fueled speculation about the delicate political balancing act she’s trying to maintain.
Yet in both public and private, Trump acknowledged Whitmer’s role in the Selfridge decision. “The governor has been very effective,” Trump said. “She’s been calling everyone — and she got results.”
Whitmer, however, notably avoided naming Trump during her celebratory remarks at the base. “It’s crucial for the Michigan economy, it’s crucial for the men and women here, for our homeland security and our future,” she said. “So thank you. I’m so, so grateful that this announcement was made today and I appreciate all the work.”
Economic and Political Context
The announcement comes at a time when Michigan’s unemployment rate has climbed for three consecutive months, recently reaching 5.5% in March, which is above the national average. Job security at Selfridge, with its sizable workforce and economic impact, provides welcome stability in a period of economic concern.
Beyond economics, the move has broader implications for national defense. Trump described Selfridge as “a crucial pillar of North American air defense,” reinforcing the base’s strategic importance and the rationale behind the F-15EX deployment.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who traveled separately for the event, also emphasized the base’s relevance, lending further credibility to the decision from the Pentagon side.
A Win With Complex Optics
Politically, Trump’s move secures a major Michigan win while placing Whitmer in a complicated spotlight. She succeeded in her mission to protect one of her state’s key defense assets, but in doing so, she now faces scrutiny over her engagement with a president she and many in her party have often denounced.
Still, the moment offered a rare break from the partisan norm — a handshake across the aisle in the name of shared interests, even if temporary.
The takeaway? Selfridge is secure, for now — and two political opposites just shared credit for making that happen.
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