Governors Plead for Unity as Trump Plays Politics

The annual National Governors Association meeting in D.C. faced controversy as themes of unity clashed with MAGA partisanship.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The National Governors Association's annual winter meeting in Washington, D.C. was marked by tensions as Republican President Donald Trump declined to invite Democratic Governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado to the NGA's bipartisan breakfast at the White House. NGA Chair Kevin Stitt, the Republican governor of Oklahoma, sought to smooth over the drama behind the scenes, but Trump later criticized Stitt on social media for misrepresenting the situation. Despite the political tensions, the governors ultimately came together for the breakfast, with veteran pollster Frank Luntz presenting data showing most Americans want less political drama and more problem-solving from their elected leaders.

Why it matters

The annual NGA meeting is typically a low-key, bipartisan event focused on governors working together to address issues facing their states. However, the controversy over the White House breakfast invitation highlights the ongoing partisan divisions in American politics, even at events meant to bring leaders together across the aisle. The meeting's theme of 'reigniting the American Dream' also speaks to broader concerns about political polarization and the need for elected officials to focus on issues that matter to everyday Americans.

The details

President Trump declined to invite Democratic Governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado to the NGA's annual bipartisan breakfast at the White House, citing disagreements over policy issues. NGA Chair Kevin Stitt, the Republican governor of Oklahoma, sought to smooth over the tensions by stating all governors were invited, but Trump later criticized Stitt on social media. Despite the drama, the governors ultimately came together for the breakfast, though some Democrats opted not to attend a subsequent black-tie dinner.

  • The National Governors Association's annual winter meeting took place on February 20, 2026.
  • Last year, Trump got into a shouting match with Maine's Democratic Governor Janet Mills over the state allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports.

The players

Donald Trump

The former Republican President of the United States who declined to invite certain Democratic governors to the NGA's bipartisan breakfast at the White House.

Kevin Stitt

The Republican governor of Oklahoma who serves as the current chair of the National Governors Association and sought to smooth over the tensions around the White House breakfast invitation.

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland who was not invited to the NGA's bipartisan breakfast at the White House.

Jared Polis

The Democratic governor of Colorado who was also not invited to the NGA's bipartisan breakfast at the White House.

Frank Luntz

A veteran political pollster and media personality who presented data at the NGA meeting showing most Americans want less political drama and more problem-solving from their elected leaders.

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What they’re saying

“I truly believe that more unites us than divides us in our country, and at the end of the day, we all want the same things.”

— Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma and NGA Chair (CBS News)

“[Americans] should view [this event] as incredibly boring, and politics needs to be boring again, because when you're solving problems, that's boring. When you're just trying to get followers on TikTok, you don't get good policy done.”

— Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah and former NGA Chair (Newsweek)

“How do we move forward together when we are that polarized that we cannot find common ground?”

— Frank Luntz, Political pollster and media personality (Newsweek)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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