President Donald Trump hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House on Thursday to celebrate their victory in the 2025 World Series, marking their second visit in just two years. The ceremony, held in the Rose Garden, featured the Dodgers presenting Trump with a personalized team jersey and a replica of their championship ring. Trump lauded the team’s achievements during the season and expressed optimism about their potential to claim future titles.
Among the attendees were some of the Dodgers’ standout players, including Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and their manager, Dave Roberts. Notably absent from the event were Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández, with Betts opting to spend time with his family, and Hernández citing a rehab commitment. Despite Hernández’s absence, he had previously voiced criticism of immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles, which have been linked to the Trump administration’s policies.
During his speech, Trump extended his congratulations to the Dodgers and acknowledged several individual players. He also shared anecdotes about baseball icons like Babe Ruth and former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. A lighthearted moment occurred when Trump, upon receiving the championship ring, quipped about whether he needed to declare it and then pocketed it with a grin. He mistakenly referred to veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw as still being active, despite Kershaw having retired following the last season’s World Series.
The Dodgers’ visit to the White House stirred mixed emotions among their fans, particularly against the backdrop of recent immigration operations and protests in Los Angeles. Manager Dave Roberts justified the team’s decision to attend, emphasizing that the visit was a nod to the tradition of honoring sports achievements rather than a political statement.
The tradition of White House visits for teams that win championships in American sports has a long history, although participation has sometimes been influenced by players’ personal beliefs and political views. The Dodgers’ recent visit underscores the ongoing intersection of sports, politics, and personal convictions in the public sphere.