Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he has extended invitations to governors from both major political parties for a notable gathering at the White House set for February 20. However, the announcement has stirred controversy, especially given the absence of two Democratic governors.

Initially, reports emerged suggesting that only Republican governors were slated to attend the annual meeting, raising concerns about its traditionally bipartisan nature. The National Governors Association (NGA) expressed that the meeting could be compromised by such limitations.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump clarified that invitations had been sent to “ALL governors” except for Democratic Governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado. He criticized Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, chair of the NGA, calling him a “RINO,” which stands for “Republican in Name Only.” This comment heightened tensions between Trump and Stitt, prompting further responses from both sides.

By Thursday morning, Trump reiterated his frustrations with Stitt, referring to him as a “wiseguy” and emphasizing that he had invited almost all Democratic governors to another event, a dinner at the White House, separate from the business meeting. However, conflicting reports arose from NGA officials, who indicated that all governors would receive invitations, including those from both major parties.

Shortly before Trump’s announcement, NGA leaders confirmed that Stitt had communicated with the White House and that it had been agreed that governors from across the political spectrum would be welcome at the upcoming meeting. Brandon Tatum, the NGA’s CEO, stated that this gathering represented an important opportunity for bipartisan dialogue among state leaders.

Despite these assurances, confusion persisted. Stitt sent an email to fellow NGA governors stating that invitations would be extended to all governors for the NGA Business Breakfast on February 20. He underscored Trump’s commitment to invite both Republicans and Democrats and aimed to clarify any misunderstandings surrounding the event.

The fate of an annual bipartisan dinner also remains uncertain after NGA officials were informed last week that only Republican governors would be included in the meeting. Stitt had previously communicated this restriction, asserting that due to the NGA’s commitment to bipartisanship, the organization could no longer facilitate the upcoming meeting if attendance was limited.

A coalition of Democratic governors issued a statement Tuesday, announcing they would boycott White House events unless all governors were invited. This development reflects a growing concern among state leaders regarding the inclusivity of federal engagements.

In Thursday’s continuation of his critique, Trump repeated his assertions, accusing Stitt of misrepresenting his position on the White House events. Stitt’s office confirmed that the governor received his invitation to the business meeting and expected other governors to follow suit.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on whether the upcoming gathering will indeed facilitate a united front among state leaders or deepen the partisan divides that have surfaced in the days leading up to the meeting. Governor Polis’s office has refrained from providing direct answers regarding his attendance, although the spokesperson emphasized the governor’s commitment to working collaboratively to address the challenges facing Colorado and beyond.