So, like, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer totally spoke at USC’s Bovard Theater, drawing a huge crowd at the L.A. Times Festival of Books on Sunday. She chatted about her recent photo-op with President Trump and even hinted at a potential presidential run in 2028. Whitmer was all, “People always ask me how I got elected in Michigan. It’s ’cause I always put their interests first, even if I get threats or made fun of.” The convo, led by L.A. Times reporter Jessica Gelt, was supposed to be about Whitmer’s new book “True Gretch — Young Adult Edition: Lessons for Anyone Who Wants to Make a Difference.” But they ended up talking about her knack for understanding political differences, even when it lands her in hot water. Like that time she got caught in pics with Trump at the White House, trying to hide her face behind a folder. Awkward much?

Whitmer spilled the tea on that sitch, saying, “I got stuck in this press conference, and I disagreed with everything, but I had to stay to ask for help for Michigan.” She had planned to talk to Trump one-on-one about aid for recovery efforts after an ice storm in northern Michigan. She was like, “I’m not sorry for asking for help, but I ain’t happy about it either.” Later on, Gelt asked about Whitmer’s future political plans since she can’t run for a third term in 2026. Although she hasn’t confirmed anything, many peeps see her as a potential Dem prez candidate in 2028. Whitmer was all, “I don’t know yet. I care a lot about where this country is going and wanna be part of making things right.” Maybe a presidential run is in the cards, but she’s not set on being the star of the show.

“True Gretch — Young Adult Edition” is like the kid-friendly version of “True Gretch: What I’ve Learned About Life, Leadership And Everything in Between.” It’s got extra stuff for young people dealing with abuse or mental health issues, plus a Q&A with her daughters, who are 21 and 23. Both books spill the deets on Whitmer’s political journey, from surviving a kidnapping and assassination plot in 2020 to handling the COVID-19 crisis in Michigan. Whitmer even said she wants to chat with two guys, now behind bars, who helped the feds catch the peeps planning to kidnap her. She’s all about finding common ground through conversation, no matter how tough it gets.

At the end of the day, Whitmer wouldn’t change a thing about her experiences. She’s been through a lot, but she’s still standing strong. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like her story is pretty inspiring. She’s all about facing challenges head-on and trying to make a difference. And who knows, maybe a run for prez is in her future. We’ll just have to wait and see.