PALM BEACH, Fla. — president-elect Donald Trump On Thursday evening, he hosted 22 of the nation’s 27 Republican governors for dinner at his Florida club, hoping to help set the agenda in conservative-run states after he takes office in 11 days.
Government of Montana Greg Gianforte told reporters outside the meeting that some of the GOP governors who could not attend were inaugurated, and that one governor was delayed by snow and unable to reach Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. But he said those who were able to attend were “delighted to accept the president-elect’s invitation” and welcomed a coming “collaborative relationship, which we haven’t had in four years” during the Biden administration.
“It has been a long period without cooperation from Washington,” Gianforte told reporters outside. “So we look forward to the arrival of the new government. We have a lot of business to do on behalf of our states. We are happy to be here to meet with the president.”
Most reporters were not invited to the proceedings, but cameras were allowed inside some of the time. This allowed Trump to answer a series of questions from a Fox News Channel journalist.
He discussed everything from his desire to… The US takes control of Greenland to the parade of technology company leaders who have come to Florida to visit him since Election Day, on his threats impose steep tariffs on Canada.
The newly elected president also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin “wants to have a meeting, and we are arranging that.”
The dinner came after Trump held a lengthy closed-door meeting with Republican senators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Trump described his conversations with his senators as “a love fest,” but added: “This is a love fest too.”
“The governors aren’t exactly chopped livers,” he said, laughing.
Trump also renewed previous vows to work with leaders in blue states, saying, “We want to get along with the Democrats. I try to be nice.”
Gianforte said many of the governors in attendance were concerned about the “overreach” of the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal entities under President Joe Bidenand added, “I know every governor here has expressed frustration.”
Government of Florida Ron DeSantis – Trump’s Republican Party presidential rival during last year’s primaries – was asked about the newly elected president sharp criticism Democratic Governor of California Gavin Newsom as cataclysmic forest fires racing through Los Angeles.
DeSantis blamed the media for what he said needlessly promoted controversy and political division, adding that Trump will work effectively with states regardless of whether they are red or blue.
“I worked well with Biden on natural disasters during his time, and I worked well with Donald Trump,” DeSantis said, referring to the hurricanes that hit Florida and the deadly collapse of a beachfront apartment in Surfside in 2021. “So I’m very confident, as a state that knows – we’re facing this – that a Trump administration will be very strong and will be there for the people, regardless of party.”
One of the questions Trump answered on Thursday was about the frequent drone sightings which have made headlines in recent weeks, but have seen their attention decrease recently. That prompted several governors around the table to express concern that such aircraft could enter military or other secure areas.
“They don’t want to talk about it,” Trump said, repeating claims he has made in the past that the administration may be covering up something about the issue. He promised to shed more light on it after Inauguration Day on January 20.
“We’ll find out on the 21st,” he said. “You have to give me some time after the inauguration. But I’ll give you a report on it soon after. We’ll tell you exactly what it is.’
___