Maryland Governor Wes Moore Said President Trump Does Not Determine His Worth After Being Excluded from a White House Dinner
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who is Black, said President Donald Trump’s claim that he was “not worthy” to attend a White House dinner would not affect his leadership.
Trump announced that all U.S. governors would be invited to a White House dinner during the National Governors Association meeting—except Moore and Colorado Governor Jared Polis. On Truth Social, Trump criticized Moore’s leadership, labeled him “foul-mouthed,” and questioned his military Bronze Star.
Reports indicate the administration initially considered excluding all Democratic governors from the formal meeting but ultimately barred only Moore and Polis from attending the dinner.
Moore Responds: “You Do Not Determine My Worthiness”
In an interview with CBS News, Moore called the snub disrespectful but emphasized that his worth does not come from the president.
“If the point of the meeting is to turn it into name-calling… I will not go,” Moore said.
He added, “Respectfully, you do not determine my worthiness. God determines my worthiness. The people of Maryland determine my worthiness. They are who I answer to. Not him.”
Moore said he is willing to work with anyone but “will not bow down to anyone.”
Democratic Governors Show Solidarity
Most Democratic governors signaled they would skip the dinner in solidarity. Governor Polis also stated that regardless of invitations, he would continue working with fellow governors to improve the lives of their constituents.
The exchange has fueled renewed debate over political decorum, leadership, and partisan tensions at the highest levels of government.
