PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump hosted a dinner at his Florida club with 22 out of the 27 Republican governors on Thursday evening, aiming to shape the policy agenda in states led by conservatives as he prepares to take office in just over a week.
Governor Greg Gianforte of Montana shared with reporters outside the event that several GOP governors were unable to attend due to their own inauguration commitments, while one was stranded by snow and couldn’t reach Mar-a-Lago. He mentioned, though, that those present were “excited to accept the president-elect’s invitation” and anticipated a spirit of cooperation that has been absent during the last four years of the Biden administration.
“It’s been a long time without cooperation from Washington,” Gianforte remarked. “We’re looking forward to the new administration coming in. There is a lot of work ahead for our states. We are just delighted to be here to meet with the president.”
While most of the media were not allowed to cover the event in person, cameras were permitted for part of the evening, enabling Trump to address a range of topics during a Q&A with a Fox News Channel reporter.
Topics included Trump’s interest in U.S. control over Greenland, meetings with leaders from tech companies since the election, and his threats of imposing significant tariffs on Canada. He also mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin “wants to meet, and we’re working on it.”
This dinner followed a closed-door meeting Trump had with Republican Senators on Capitol Hill earlier in the week. Trump described the atmosphere of that meeting as “a love fest,” adding, “This is a love fest, too.”
“The governors aren’t exactly chopped liver,” he joked, prompting laughter from those present.
Trump reiterated his commitment to work together with leaders from Democratic states, stating, “We want to get along with the Democrats. I’m trying to be nice.”
Governor Gianforte noted that many of the attending governors expressed concerns regarding “overreach” from the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies during the Biden administration. He acknowledged that “every governor here has expressed frustration.”
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, who was Trump’s rival in the GOP presidential primary last year, was questioned about Trump’s recent sharp criticisms of California Governor Gavin Newsom amid ongoing destructive wildfires in Los Angeles.
DeSantis attributed the controversy to media exaggeration and maintained that Trump would work effectively with states regardless of their political affiliation.
“I have collaborated with Biden during natural disasters, and I have also worked well with Donald Trump,” DeSantis said, referencing hurricanes that have affected Florida and the tragic collapse of a condo in Surfside in 2021. “I’m confident that under Trump’s leadership, assistance will be provided regardless of political boundaries.”
Among the topics Trump addressed were the increasing reports of drone sightings that previously garnered significant media attention. This discussion prompted multiple governors to express their worries regarding potential breaches involving these drones into military or secure zones.
“They don’t want to talk about it,” Trump said, reiterating an earlier claim that the government might be withholding information on the subject. He assured the governors that he would provide more details after Inauguration Day, which falls on January 20.
“We’re going to find out on the 21st,” he stated. “Please give me a little time after the inauguration. But soon after that, I’ll share a report on it. We will clarify exactly what it is.”
