Trump's refusal to invite Democratic governors sparked controversy
Several Democratic governors boycotted the annual dinner in response
The Supreme Court's rejection of Trump's tariff policy further complicated the event
Despite tensions, some governors found value in bipartisan discussions
The once-unifying tradition has become politicized during Trump's second term
📖 Full Retelling
President Donald Trump sparked controversy during the week of February 21, 2026, by initially refusing to invite Democratic governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado to a White House working event, escalating his war with Democratic leaders ahead of the annual governors' dinner at the White House, which has traditionally served as a bipartisan gathering. The controversy intensified when Trump ridiculed the bipartisan leadership of the National Governors Association, particularly Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma and Democratic Gov. Moore, prompting dozens of Democrats to threaten a boycott of Saturday's dinner. Even after Trump relented at the last minute and allowed Moore to attend, some governors like Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey still skipped the event, calling it a 'farce.' The situation was further complicated when Trump abruptly cut the working meeting short after learning of the Supreme Court's decision to strike down his sweeping tariff policy, leaving even some Republicans frustrated by the week's turbulence. Despite the turmoil, some governors found value in the interactions. Moore noted that the meeting provided 'a chance for us to be able to share our thoughts and our perspectives and our ideas.' New York Gov. Kathy Hochul mentioned that governors had a productive discussion about lessons learned from the administration's immigration enforcement in Minnesota, where two U.S. citizens were killed. Hochul expressed approval when Trump stated, 'We'll only go where we're wanted.' Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who once chaired the NGA, recalled previous dinners as valuable opportunities for governors to connect across party lines, mentioning how he was once seated with then-Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo and got to know her family, calling it 'a glowing evening in the White House.'
🏷️ Themes
Political Polarization, Presidential Traditions, Bipartisan Relations
Political polarization (spelt polarisation in British English, Australian English, and New Zealand English) is the divergence of political attitudes away from the center, towards ideological extremes. Scholars distinguish between ideological polarization (differences between the policy positions) an...
The National Governors Association (NGA) is an American political organization founded in 1908. The association's members are the governors of the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. Members come from across the political spectrum.
President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
Born into a wealthy New York City family, Trump graduated from the...
The White House governors dinner is a long‑standing bipartisan tradition that fosters dialogue between the president and state leaders. Trump’s decision to exclude Democratic governors and the resulting boycotts highlight deep partisan rifts and threaten the collaborative spirit of the event.
Context & Background
The dinner is an annual bipartisan gathering of governors at the White House.
Trump excluded Democratic governors Wes Moore and Jared Polis from a working event.
The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s tariff policy, adding to the controversy.
Some governors boycotted the dinner, while others attended despite tensions.
The event offers governors a rare chance to meet the president away from daily politics.
What Happens Next
Future dinners may see continued scrutiny over invitations and could become more politically charged. Governors may decide to boycott or attend based on party alignment, and the tradition may evolve to accommodate growing partisan divisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the dinner controversial?
Trump’s exclusion of Democratic governors and the Supreme Court ruling on tariffs turned a normally neutral event into a partisan flashpoint.
Which governors were excluded from the working event?
Democratic governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado were initially left out.
What was the Supreme Court’s decision about?
The Court struck down Trump’s sweeping tariff policy, undermining the president’s trade agenda.
Will the tradition continue in the same form?
It may continue but could become more politically charged, with governors deciding whether to attend or boycott.
Original Source
1 Subscribe Close Sign in Sign in Subscribe Newsletter signup Gift subscriptions Customer service Sign Out My Account Manage newsletters Gift subscriptions Today's E-Edition Customer service Search Search Keyword: Search News Corrections Politics National World Security The Advocates Seen, Heard & Whispered Business & Economy D.C. Local Media Spotlight Newsmakers Waste, Fraud & Abuse Inside the Ring Higher Ground Culture Entertainment Technology Obituaries Just the Headlines Dive Deeper Celebrating The Washington Times Policy Corrections Threat Status Energy & Environment Banking & Finance Health Care Reform Second Amendment Immigration Reform Homeland & Cybersecurity Aerospace & Defense Taxes & Budget Law Enforcement & Intelligence Transportation & Infrastructure Commentary Commentary Main Corrections Editorials Letters Cheryl K. Chumley Kelly Sadler Jed Babbin Tom Basile Tim Constantine Joseph Curl Joseph R. DeTrani Don Feder Billy Hallowell Daniel N. Hoffman David Keene Robert Knight Gene Marks Clifford D. May Michael McKenna Stephen Moore Tim Murtaugh Peter Navarro Everett Piper Cal Thomas Scott Walker Miles Yu Black Voices Books Cartoons To the Republic Sports Sports Main Corrections Washington Commanders Football Baseball Basketball NCAA Thom Loverro Tennis Golf Hockey Soccer Horse Racing NASCAR & Racing District of Sports Podcast Sports Photos Sponsored Corrections Higher Ed Harassment Health Care on the Hill Invest in Portugal Health Care 2022 Africa FDI Edition Immigration 2022 Invest in Ireland ESG Investments U.S. & South Korea Alliance 146 Heroes Invest in Malta Victorious Family Invest in Greece 2025 Free Iran 2025 Infrastructure 2025 Renewing American Energy Dominance Investing in American Health Transportation 2025 Building a healthier America Faith at Work Unbridled Clean Energy Revitalizing Rural America Events Corrections Subscriber Only Events Reagan Forum IDEX 2025 Reinventing after Globalization Harm Reduction and Public Health Golden Dome for A...
