President Donald Trump has pushed back against reports that Democrat governors had been excluded from the annual National Governors Association (NGA) business breakfast and White House dinner scheduled for February 20.
Trump on Wednesday, February 11, emphasized that all governors, except two, were invited, directly responding to statements made by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.
In a statement posted on X, Trump directly criticized Stitt’s earlier remarks, calling them “incorrect” and asserting that only two governors, Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, were not invited.
“The invitations were sent to ALL Governors, other than two, who I feel are not worthy of being there,” Trump wrote.
Trump elaborated on the reasons for excluding the two governors, citing actions in their respective states that he described as disqualifying.
For Polis, Trump referenced the incarceration of a 73-year-old cancer-stricken woman in solitary confinement related to voter fraud efforts.
The Head of State further criticized Governor Moore for his management of Baltimore and alleged that the governor had falsely claimed military honors.
“So, as usual with him, Stitt got it WRONG! The Invitations were sent out to all other Governors, Democrat and Republican. I look forward to seeing the Republican Governors, and some of the Democrats Governors who were worthy of being invited, but most of whom won’t show up.”
Stitt issues clarification
Trump’s statement comes after Governor Stitt, who also serves as NGA chairman, issued a letter to state governors clarifying that the apparent confusion over the invitations stemmed from scheduling, not partisan intent.
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Stitt had earlier issued a letter to state governors clarifying that Trump’s invitations were extended to all 55 governors and territories, describing previous reports as a “misunderstanding in scheduling.”
In the letter, Stitt stated:
“President Trump said this was always his intention, and we have addressed the misunderstanding in scheduling.”
Stitt told KOCO News he had just spoken with Trump and said he was “really pumped about going” to the event. He emphasized that he represents Oklahoma regardless of who is in the White House and praised the president’s engagement with the NGA.
The NGA had initially announced the White House portion of its annual winter meeting was canceled after criticism that excluding governors conflicted with the association’s mission to represent all 55 governors. Brandon Tatum, NGA CEO, described the situation as undermining “an important opportunity for federal-state collaboration.”
“The National Governors Association has a long tradition of bipartisan gatherings to trade best practices and ideas… Unfortunately, the White House does not seem to feel the same,” a spokesperson for Moore said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration, noting that the president “can invite whomever he wants to dinner and events here at the White House” and that invited governors are welcome to attend.
According to The New York Times, aside from the two excluded governors, all other governors, including Democrat J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Gavin Newsom of California received invitations.
The event, traditionally a bipartisan gathering, includes a business breakfast, sessions with Cabinet secretaries, and a black-tie dinner for governors and their spouses.
2025 National Governors Association Dinner
Last year, the NGA Dinner and Reception, held on February 22, 2025, was hosted by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House as part of the NGA Winter Meeting, which ran from February 20–22 in Washington, D.C.
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Trump in his remarks praised the “special bond” between governors and the president as fellow executives and called for cooperation on issues such as energy, public safety, and border security.
The dinner coincided with George Washington’s 293rd birthday, with the president describing governors as the “living embodiment” of the union Washington established.
In addition, the event was attended by governors and their spouses, including eight newly sworn-in governors, along with members of the president’s Cabinet, who participated in the program.
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development offered grace before the meal, and guests were invited to tour the Lincoln Bedroom and the Treaty Room following the dinner.
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