POLITICS

White House Governors Meeting Frays After Exclusions

PUBLISHED Feb 19, 2026, 3:30 PM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 11

Left 18%

Center 73%

Right 9%

Sources: 11

Washington — The National Governors Association withdrew its facilitation of an annual White House governors' meeting after President Donald Trump declined to invite Democratic Governors Jared Polis and Wes Moore, publicly saying they were "not worthy of being there." Trump still hosted a governors' breakfast on Friday morning attended by some state leaders, while several Democratic governors, including Massachusetts' Maura Healey, declined to participate. NGA officials said they could not take part in an event that excluded any governors; NGA Chair Kevin Stitt attended but clarified it was not an NGA event. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Najma A. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

President announces a White House governors' meeting with limited invitations.
Trump states Governors Jared Polis and Wes Moore will not be invited and criticizes them publicly.
The National Governors Association says it will not facilitate a White House meeting that excludes governors.
Multiple Democratic governors, including Maura Healey, decline to attend White House events.
The White House holds an independent governors' breakfast attended by some state leaders.

News Intelligence

This situation could impact your state's relationship with the White House. If your governor is excluded, it could affect federal support for local projects and services. Keep an eye on how your governor responds to this situation.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 8
Distribution:: Left 18%, Center 73%, Right 9%

Who Benefited

By organizing a White House meeting excluding two Democratic governors, President Trump held a forum attended by some state leaders aligned with him, allowing direct engagement with select governors outside National Governors Association facilitation.

Who Impacted

The National Governors Association withdrew its facilitation and Democratic Governors Jared Polis and Wes Moore were excluded from the formal White House invitation, leading several Democratic governors to decline participation.