Governor Gretchen Whitmer is hitting back after Donald Trump insulted Detroit during a visit there this week.

Speaking to the Detroit Economic Club Thursday, Trump said if Kamala Harris is elected president, then “the whole country will be like – you want to know the truth? It’ll be like Detroit.”

Speaking on social media the next day, Whitmer said Trump came all the way to Michigan “to beat down and insult the people of Detroit.”

“So I’ve got a message for him,” Whitmer said. “Detroit is the epitome of grit. Defined by winners willing to get their hands dirty, to build up their city, and better their communities, something he could never understand.”

Whitmer said Detroit has been pulling itself up and revitalizing for years.

“So keep Detroit out of your mouth, Donald Trump. And the words of Aretha, show Detroiters a little respect. Michigan loves Detroit.”

Whitmer said Detroit’s hard work “put the world on wheels,” defining the middle class and contributing classic art and culture to the world for decades. She promised Detroiters won’t forget Trump’s words come November.