Donald Trump has launched a public attack on Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, calling him 'mediocre' amid a dispute over invitations to a White House dinner for governors. The president claimed Stitt was wrong about his plans for the event, which he said would include all governors except two he deemed 'not worthy'.
In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump wrote that he invited 'all governors' except Colorado's Jared Polis and Maryland's Wes Moore. He criticised Polis over the prison sentence of a former clerk who tried to undermine the 2020 election results, and Moore for alleged lies about his military record and allowing Baltimore to become a 'Crime Disaster'. Moore has described the military issue as an 'honest mistake'.
The dispute began when the National Governors Association (NGA) said the administration had initially made the meeting Republicans-only. Moore said he had been 'uninvited' from the dinner, a decision he said carried extra sting as the nation's only Black governor. The NGA initially said it would no longer facilitate the meeting, and over a dozen Democrats announced a boycott.
However, Stitt wrote to fellow governors that Trump was now inviting all 55 states and territories to a business breakfast on February 20. The NGA later updated its statement, saying it was 'pleased the president will welcome governors from all 55 states and territories'.
Stitt, who chairs the NGA, also criticised the Trump administration's use of out-of-state National Guard troops for law enforcement crackdowns, citing states' rights. The White House defended its decision, with an official saying the president has the right to invite whomever he wants.
