Trump Excludes Two Democratic Governors from Governors' Dinner

Claims Wes Moore and Jared Polis were uninvited due to their 'unworthiness'

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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President Donald Trump disputed a claim by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt that the White House planned to limit invitations to a governors' dinner to only Republican governors. Trump clarified that invitations were sent to nearly all governors, except for two Democratic governors - Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado - whom Trump deemed 'not worthy of being there'.

Why it matters

The annual governors' dinner is a traditional event that brings together governors from both parties to discuss policy priorities and meet with federal officials. Trump's decision to exclude two Democratic governors from the event has raised concerns about political partisanship and the president's willingness to engage with leaders from the opposing party.

The details

Trump said he chose not to include Moore on the guest list because he is 'foul mouthed' and 'fraudulently stated that he received Military medals.' The president also criticized Moore's handling of the rebuilding of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. Trump said he excluded Polis after the Colorado governor 'unfairly incarcerated in solitary confinement a 73-year-old cancer stricken woman (A nine year term!) for attempting to fight Democrat voter fraud.'

  • The annual governors' dinner is traditionally held at the White House during the National Governors Association's winter meeting in Washington.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who is disputing the claims made by Governor Kevin Stitt and excluding two Democratic governors from the annual governors' dinner.

Kevin Stitt

The Republican Governor of Oklahoma and the chairman of the bipartisan National Governors Association.

Wes Moore

The Democratic Governor of Maryland whom Trump deemed 'not worthy' of attending the governors' dinner.

Jared Polis

The Democratic Governor of Colorado whom Trump excluded from the governors' dinner, citing Polis' handling of a case involving a 73-year-old cancer-stricken woman.

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What they’re saying

“The RINO Governor of the Great State of Oklahoma, in which I won all 77 Counties, three times (The only person to do so!), incorrectly stated my position on the very exclusive Governors Annual Dinner and Meeting at the White House. The invitations were sent to ALL Governors, other than two, who I feel are not worthy of being there.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“Wes Moore is doing a terrible job on the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and has allowed Baltimore to continue to be a Crime Disaster.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“I even invited the SLOB of a Governor, JB Pritzker, and horrendous California Governor, Gavin Newscum, to the Dinner, despite the terrible job that they are doing.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

What’s next

The National Governors Association has announced that it will no longer serve as the facilitator of the annual governors' dinner at the White House, citing the exclusion of Democratic governors.

The takeaway

Trump's decision to exclude two Democratic governors from the traditional governors' dinner raises concerns about political partisanship and the president's willingness to engage with leaders from the opposing party. This move could further strain relations between the White House and Democratic state leaders.