Trump excludes gay and Black governors from White House dinner
Jared Polis and Wes Moore (Wikimedia Commons/Office of Congressman Jared Polis/Maryland State Government)
President Donald Trump decided earlier this month that invitations to a traditional dinner at the White House during the National Governors Association winter gathering, scheduled to take place in D.C. from Feb 19 – 21, would only go to Republicans – excluding Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore from the meeting.
Polis, the only out gay man, and Moore, the nation’s sole Black governor and vice chair of the NGA were snubbed from the event as Democratic governors.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday (10 February) that Trump has “discretion to invite anyone he wants to the White House”.
READ MORE: Congressman thanks God for sending Trump to protect America from ‘homosexuality’
She added: “It’s the people’s house. It’s also the president’s home, so he can invite whomever he wants to dinners and events here at the White House.”
A spokesperson for Polis told The Advocate in a 10 February statement: “Governor Polis and other Governors are focused on delivering results for our states, not playing games.
“Governor Polis does welcome recommendations for popular local restaurants now that he and other Democratic Governors may have a free evening to explore the best DC has to offer.”
Meanwhile, Moore said in a recent appearance on CNN’s State of the Union: “It’s not lost on me that I’m the only Black governor in this country.
“And I find that to be particularly painful, considering the fact that the president is trying to exclude me from an organisation that not only my peers have asked me to help to lead, but then also a place where I know I belong in.”
The National Governors Association said in response that it will no longer hold the formal meeting with Trump.
On Tuesday (10 February), 18 Democratic governors also announced they would boycott the traditional dinner at the White House.
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