Confusion Ensues Over Trump Meeting
A week of conflicting statements surrounding the upcoming National Governors Association (NGA) winter meeting has created uncertainty about which governors will attend events at the White House.
The annual gathering, scheduled for February 19–21 in Washington, D.C., traditionally includes two major components: a bipartisan business meeting with the president and a formal White House dinner for governors and their families. For decades, the event has served as a rare moment of cooperation between Republican and Democratic state leaders.
This year, however, questions over invitations have drawn national attention.
What Is the National Governors Association Meeting?
The National Governors Association represents governors from all 50 states and five U.S. territories. Its annual winter meeting in Washington allows state leaders to discuss shared policy concerns with federal officials, including border security, infrastructure, public safety, healthcare costs, and disaster preparedness.
Historically, the meeting with the president has included governors from both political parties — reinforcing its bipartisan character.
Initial Reports Suggested Limited Invitations
Earlier in the week, concerns emerged that invitations to the February 20 White House business meeting would be restricted to Republican governors.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, who currently serves as NGA chair, informed fellow governors that the association would not facilitate the event if participation were limited by party affiliation.
Stitt emphasized that the NGA’s role is to represent all governors equally and that its events should reflect unity rather than division.
At the time of that communication, invitations had reportedly not yet been issued.
President Trump Addresses the Situation
After speaking directly with President Donald Trump, Governor Stitt later clarified that the matter appeared to stem from a scheduling misunderstanding.
According to Stitt’s follow-up statement, President Trump indicated that the February 20 business meeting was always intended to include governors from both parties. Shortly afterward, Democratic governors reportedly received formal invitations.
That appeared to resolve concerns surrounding the business session.
White House Dinner Invitations Raise New Questions
Attention then shifted to the separate White House dinner scheduled for February 21.
Reports indicated that two Democratic governors — Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Colorado Governor Jared Polis — were not included among those invited to the dinner.
President Trump later stated publicly that nearly all governors had been invited, while acknowledging that two individuals were excluded. His comments appeared to reference both the business meeting and the dinner, leading to renewed uncertainty about which event he was describing.
Democratic Governors Association Responds
The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) had previously indicated that its members would decline attendance if any governor were excluded from official White House events.
Following confirmation that all governors received invitations to the February 20 business meeting, it remains unclear whether Democratic governors will attend the dinner given the reported exclusions.
An NGA spokesperson said the organization is not currently facilitating the dinner unless all governors are invited and confirmed that no additional updates had been provided.
Broader Political Implications
For many Americans — particularly voters over 50 who remember a more cooperative era of politics — the annual governors meeting has long symbolized bipartisan dialogue between state leaders and the federal government.
The recent back-and-forth highlights how even long-standing traditions can become entangled in modern political tensions.
As the February meeting approaches, observers will be watching closely to see whether all governors attend both events — and whether the gathering proceeds in the spirit of unity that has historically defined it.
