Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, said President Donald Trump "uninvited" him from a National Governors Association black-tie dinner at the White House planned during the group's annual meeting Feb. 19-21, 2026. (Photo by Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters)

WASHINGTON — Democratic governors headed to an annual bipartisan gathering in the nation’s capital will not participate in a traditional White House black-tie dinner after President Donald Trump disinvited several Democrats from the event.

A joint statement Tuesday from the Democratic Governors Association said the state leaders “have a long record of working across the aisle to deliver results and we remain committed to this effort. But it’s disappointing this administration doesn’t seem to share the same goal.”

“At every turn, President Trump is creating chaos and division, and it is the American people who are hurting as a result,” the statement continued. “If the reports are true that not all governors are invited to these events, which have historically been productive and bipartisan opportunities for collaboration, we will not be attending the White House dinner this year. Democratic governors remain united and will never stop fighting to protect and make life better for people in our states.”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, the association’s chair, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, vice chair, led the statement, and were joined by 16 Democratic governors from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. 

A traditional formal working meeting at the White House including governors of both parties also appeared to be off the agenda.

Brandon Tatum, the National Governors Association’s acting executive director and CEO, said, “The bipartisan White House governors meeting is an important tradition, and we are disappointed in the administration’s decision to make it a partisan occasion this year.”

“To disinvite individual governors to the White House sessions undermines an important opportunity for federal-state collaboration. At this moment in our nation’s history, it is critical that institutions continue to stand for unity, dignity, and constructive engagement. NGA will remain focused on serving all governors as they deliver solutions and model leadership for the American people. Traditionally the White House has played a role in fostering these moments during NGA’s annual meeting. This year, they will not,” Tatum said in a statement.

Reports surfaced over the weekend that Trump had planned to exclude some Democratic governors from the annual White House events when Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the National Governors Association vice chair, made public that the president had “uninvited” him from the dinner.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday at the daily briefing that Trump “can invite whomever he wants to dinners and events here at the White House.”

Leavitt said Tuesday that Moore “did not show up” to last year’s dinner, and “nobody reported on it.”

“But again, the president has the discretion to invite whomever he wants to the White House, and he welcomes all those who received an invitation to come, and if they don’t want to, that’s their loss,” Leavitt said.

The association’s 2026 gathering is scheduled for Feb. 19-21. The gathering will include “special guests and national experts for solutions-driven conversations on pressing national issues including education, energy, economic growth, artificial intelligence and more,” according to the association website.