Trump kicks reporters out of governors meeting. 'You can leave now.' [View all]

Source: USA Today

Updated Feb. 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET


WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump kicked reporters out of a breakfast meeting Feb. 20 with governors so the officials could speak “candidly.”

“That way we’re going to talk very candidly and take questions at the end,” Trump said. “To the media, thank you. You can leave now.”

Trump’s move came after disputes with Democratic Govs. Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado led to confusion about who could attend the meeting termed a "working breakfast" in the East Room.

Reporters shouted questions as they were led out of the room, including one about whether he was considering military action against Iran. "I guess I can say I am considering it," Trump said. He didn’t respond to a question about whether he had spoken to Moore about the Potomac River sewage spill.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/20/trump-governors-meeting-white-house-reporters/88775631007/

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This "breakfast meeting" is new. Almost sounds like yet another "meeting" outside of the regular NGA "meeting" and the WH "dinner (meeting) ".