On Thursday, US President Donald Trump hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House to celebrate their 2025 World Series victory, marking their second visit in two years as champions. The event, held in the Rose Garden, was highlighted by the Dodgers presenting Trump with a custom team jersey and a replica of their World Series championship ring. During the ceremony, Trump commended the team for their outstanding season and expressed optimism about their chances of securing future championships.
Prominent figures from the Dodgers, including stars like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and manager Dave Roberts, were present at the celebration. However, key players such as Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández opted out of attending. In his speech, Trump acknowledged the Dodgers’ achievements and paid tribute to several players, while also recounting anecdotes about baseball legends like Babe Ruth and former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Notably, he mistakenly referred to veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw as still active, despite Kershaw having retired after the previous season’s World Series.
As Trump accepted the championship ring, he humorously remarked, “Do I have to report this? I don’t want to report this,” before tucking it into his jacket pocket. The event drew mixed reactions from Dodgers fans, particularly against the backdrop of recent immigration enforcement operations and protests in Los Angeles due to policies from the Trump administration. Mookie Betts explained his absence by choosing to spend time with his family, while Kiké Hernández, who has publicly opposed immigration raids in Los Angeles, cited a rehabilitation commitment and mentioned he would not have attended regardless of his availability.
Dave Roberts, the Dodgers’ manager, defended the team’s decision to attend the White House ceremony, emphasizing that the visit was a tribute to a long-standing sports tradition rather than a political statement. Visits to the White House have been a customary practice for championship-winning teams in America, though participation from team members can vary depending on personal beliefs and political divisions.