Trump Bars Democratic Governors From White House Meeting, Prompting Boycott

National Governors Association pulls out of annual White House event after Trump refuses to invite two Democratic state leaders.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The National Governors Association is withdrawing from an annual meeting at the White House after President Donald Trump declined to invite two Democratic governors, Jared Polis of Colorado and Wes Moore of Maryland, whom Trump recently blasted on social media as "not worthy of being there." The episode underscores the confrontational approach Trump has taken toward state leaders he does not like, even when it comes to ceremonial White House gatherings.

Why it matters

The move by the NGA to boycott the White House meeting highlights the growing partisan divide between the president and state governors, even those from his own party. It also raises questions about Trump's willingness to work with political opponents and his desire to unify the country, as some Republican governors have openly acknowledged.

The details

Trump is still expected to meet with governors at the White House on Friday, but the event will not be facilitated by the NGA, an organization founded over a century ago to help state leaders from both parties advocate for their interests in Washington. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah said Trump's aim as president is not to unify the country, while Democratic Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland said he has "no desire to have beef with the president" but feels "bad for him because that has just got to be a really, really hard existence."

  • The National Governors Association is pulling out of the annual White House meeting scheduled for Friday, February 19, 2026.
  • Trump recently blasted Democratic Govs. Jared Polis of Colorado and Wes Moore of Maryland on social media as "not worthy of being there."

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States who is serving his second term.

Jared Polis

The Democratic governor of Colorado who was not invited to the White House meeting by Trump.

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland who was not invited to the White House meeting by Trump.

Kevin Stitt

The Republican governor of Oklahoma who chairs the National Governors Association.

Spencer Cox

The Republican governor of Utah who acknowledged that Trump's aim as president is not to unify the country.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I've spent quality time with my colleagues this morning and really learning from one another and taking best practices that Republican or Democratic governors have launched in their state. It's really what these meetings are about.”

— Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado (castanet.net)

“I didn't run for governor like, man, I can't wait so me and the president can go toe to toe. But the fact that he is waking up in the middle of the night and tweeting about me, I just, I pray for him and I just feel bad for him because that has just got to be a really, really hard existence.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland and Vice Chair of the National Governors Association (castanet.net)

“Politics has a way of just beating you down over time so I can't imagine being president of the United States. He's got a tough job to do.”

— Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma and Chair of the National Governors Association (castanet.net)

What’s next

The National Governors Association is expected to hold its own meeting in Washington, D.C. this week, separate from the White House event.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing partisan divide between the president and state governors, even those from his own party, and raises concerns about Trump's willingness to work with political opponents and his desire to unify the country as he enters the second half of his term.