(WASHINGTON, February 11, 2026) —
Several Democratic governors are threatening to boycott an upcoming White House dinner after learning that only Republican governors were invited, escalating a dispute over federal-state relations.
- Multiple Democratic governors have indicated they will not attend a dinner hosted by President Trump.
- The boycott stems from the White House’s decision to invite only Republican governors to the event.
- The situation is causing an annual gathering of governors to unravel, according to reports.
Democratic governors are signaling they will skip a planned dinner with President Trump after the White House extended invitations solely to their Republican counterparts, the Washington Post and other news outlets reported.
The annual gathering of the National Governors Association, traditionally a bipartisan event, is now in jeopardy, according to the Associated Press. Several Democratic governors have publicly stated their intention to boycott the dinner, viewing the invitation list as a deliberate snub.
Governors Respond to Exclusions
The decision to exclude Democratic governors has drawn swift criticism. According to Politico, Democratic governors have pledged to boycott not only the dinner but also other White House events in protest. USA Today reported that the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.
The Hill reported that the White House’s decision to invite only Republican governors has led to the cancellation of a planned meeting between the governors and President Trump. The meeting was intended to discuss issues of mutual concern, but the partisan nature of the invitation list has made that impossible, sources said.
Why It Matters
This situation highlights the increasingly polarized relationship between the White House and Democratic governors. The boycott underscores the challenges of maintaining bipartisan cooperation in a deeply divided political climate. The cancellation of the governors’ meeting also represents a missed opportunity for dialogue and collaboration on critical issues facing the nation.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by The Washington Post, AP News, USA Today, The Hill, and Politico and added independent analysis and context.
