Tensions between President Donald Trump and the National Governors Association surfaced in public statements this week as the governors’ group prepared for its annual meeting at the White House next week.
Trump posted on social media that he was disputing a message he said was incorrect from Stitt, the Oklahoma governor and NGA chair, ahead of the Feb. 20 governors’ breakfast and business session. In the post, Trump blasted Stitt as “RINO,” and Trump said Stitt had “incorrectly stated my position” on invitations to what the association’s communications have described as the Governors Annual Dinner and Meeting at the White House.
The dispute, according to AP’s account, centered on whether governors from both major parties would be allowed to participate in the full range of White House events tied to the NGA gathering. Stitt’s Monday letter to fellow governors said the White House had indicated it would limit invitations to the business meeting to Republicans, and that drew an outcry from Democrats who said they would not participate in the meal if they were not fully included at the business meeting.
Stitt later said he had spoken with Trump by phone and followed up with an email to governors. In a message AP described as a letter to fellow governors, Stitt wrote, “I am writing to inform you that President Donald J. Trump is inviting all governors of the 55 States and territories to the Friday, Feb. 20 NGA Business Breakfast at 8:30am est.” Stitt added that Trump was “very clear in his communications” that the event was an NGA event and that Trump said he intended to host governors and hear from them across the country.
Even after Stitt’s outreach, Trump escalated the tone. In the social media post, Trump called Stitt’s Monday letter “false” and wrote that invitations were sent to all governors “other than two, who I feel are not worthy of being there,” naming Democratic Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland and Democratic Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado. Trump also wrote: “I look forward to seeing the Republican Governors, and some of the Democrats Governors who were worthy of being invited, but most of whom won’t show up.”
Following Trump’s post, NGA chief executive Brandon Tatum stood by the group’s timeline, according to AP. Tatum said, “As of Tuesday evening, only Republican Governors received invites from the White House for the Friday morning business meeting,” and he said the association was “hopeful that we can have constructive bipartisan dialogue with the President during the session,” adding that continuing the business meeting tradition was “an important step toward bridge building among parties.”
It remained unclear how many Democratic governors would attend the White House events as of Wednesday. AP reported that California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he did not plan to attend, while Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signaled he would participate.
The White House defended Trump’s invitation discretion. AP reported that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that Trump has “discretion to invite anyone he wants to the White House.”
AP also described the broader context: the episode reflects difficulties for bipartisan or nonpartisan groups in Trump’s Washington. Earlier this month, the U.S. Conference of Mayors met in Washington with leaders from both parties but was not invited to the White House, and AP said the governors’ meeting can become more contentious when Trump is involved.
Last year, AP said, Trump’s dealings with Democratic governors sharpened after he singled out Maine Gov. Janet Mills over the administration’s effort to bar transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. AP reported that Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from the state if Mills did not comply, and Mills responded, “We’ll see you in court.” AP added that Trump predicted her political career would be over for opposing the order, and that Mills is now running for U.S. Senate.
AP said the exchange had a lingering impact on the NGA as well, noting that some Democratic governors did not renew their dues last year to the bipartisan group.