Whitmer spent $61k on Switzerland trip

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spent $61,000 on a six-day trip to Davos, Switzerland, in January, according to documents obtained through a records request.

Michigan Capitol Confidential received the trip records and guest list for the trip, which took place Jan. 18-24, from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The MEDC sent 10 people to attend the World Economic Forum. Among them were Whitmer and a top aide, Zachary Pohl. Three members of the MEDC also went on the trip, including CEO Quentin Messer Jr., investment director of Europe Vlatko Tomic-Bobas, and chief of protocol Katelyn Wilcox.

The 10 people who took the 8,000-mile round trip spent $32,236 on airfare, $15,201 on transportation, $10,706 on hotel rooms, $1,992 on miscellaneous expenses, and $942 on meals. Five names are redacted because those people serve as executive protection for Whitmer.

Whitmer Davos trip 2026 CapCon by mcclallen

The governor said that the trip would secure jobs for Michigan.

“Michigan is open for business, and we’re continuing to compete and win on the global stage,” Whitmer said in a Jan. 19 statement. “I’m excited to tell Michigan’s story this week and build relationships directly with global leaders at the World Economic Forum. On issues like innovation, workforce talent, and manufacturing, we are building a bright future and making a difference for Michiganders. We’re creating opportunity and helping workers get the skills they need for good-paying jobs. We’re building vibrant communities with bustling main streets and downtowns. I’ll keep working with anyone to grow our economy, strengthen our defense and manufacturing industries, and help more families ‘make it’ in Michigan.”

Ref_025_-_McClallen_-_Reponsive_Docs_-_2.10.26 by mcclallen

Whitmer spoke on two panels at the Davos event: “A Conversation with U.S. Governors” and “Can [Electric Vehicles] Really Dominate?”

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sued major oil companies in January, claiming that oil companies acted as a cartel to suppress the success of EVs and renewable energy in Michigan.

The economic development agency says that Whitmer’s expenses were covered by the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing economic development initiatives that drive private investment, job creation, and wage growth in Michigan, Danielle Emerson, the public relations manager at the MEDC told CapCon in an email.

“Switzerland is home to a strong concentration of global companies in advanced manufacturing, defense technologies, and life sciences – industries that align closely with Michigan’s strategic economic priorities,” Emerson wrote. “Switzerland is Michigan’s ninth-largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) and since 2019, nine Swiss companies have launched ten FDI projects in the state, including Forming, Gerber Products, and Kuehne + Nagel, totaling $18.71 million in capital investment and creating 255 jobs. Further, it was announced that Oerlikon — whom the governor visited in Switzerland — will expand its Michigan operations to meet increased customer demand. This company alone employs nearly 300 people across multiple Michigan locations.”

In 2023, Whitmer spent about $44,000 on a similar trip.

In 2025, Whitmer spent $1 million on foreign travel, CapCon reported. The governor leaves office after this year and is widely expected to run for president in 2028.

Those expenses in 2025 include:

1. Australia, $219,622 in June 2025

2. United Kingdom, $204,000 in April 2025

3. Germany, Japan, Singapore, $470,000 in September 2025

4. United Arab Emirates: $175,000 in February 2025

5. Canada: $73,732 in October 2025

In the first two months of 2026, Whitmer has traveled to Switzerland, Germany and now Italy. CapCon will keep tracking Whitmer’s travel expenses.