On Monday morning, the Los Angeles Dodgers received a grand champion’s welcome in the East Room of the White House, adorned with portraits of iconic leaders like George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt and illuminated by stunning golden chandeliers. The room was filled with a packed crowd eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Dodgers for their 2024 World Series celebration. Once the team took their places on stage, President Donald Trump entered to personally congratulate them on their remarkable achievement last season.
“What a legendary season,” Trump remarked, addressing the Dodgers players, coaches, executives, and owner Mark Walter. “Throughout this amazing season, the members of this team delivered some of the most incredible performances ever seen on the baseball diamond.” The Dodgers' visit to the White House, coinciding with their road series against the Washington Nationals, sparked a wave of reactions from fans and commentators across the baseball community.
Three months into his second term in office, Trump continues to be a polarizing figure, particularly in Los Angeles, where he garnered significantly fewer votes compared to Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent election. Despite some factions of their fan base urging them to decline the White House invitation, the Dodgers maintained that their visit was in line with tradition. “We’re very pleased,” Walter stated on Monday, “to participate in the tradition of bringing champions to the White House.”
All members of the 2024 team who were on the road trip participated in the visit, including manager Dave Roberts and star shortstop Mookie Betts. Notably, Roberts had previously indicated that he would not visit the White House if the Dodgers won a World Series during Trump’s first term, while Betts had also declined a previous invitation during his time with the Boston Red Sox in 2019. The only significant absence was first baseman Freddie Freeman, who stayed in Los Angeles to recover from an ankle injury.
After Trump’s entrance and initial remarks—where he discussed various topics including the falling price of eggs—he spent a significant amount of time praising the Dodgers’ accomplishments in the 2024 season. He began with Roberts, whom he once criticized on social media during the 2018 World Series, now declaring him “one of the greatest managers, really, ever to wear the Dodger blue.”
Trump went on to highlight the achievements of players like Shohei Ohtani, who had an unprecedented season with 50 home runs and 50 steals, humorously noting that the reigning National League MVP “looks like a movie star.” He also acknowledged the contributions of Betts, Max Muncy, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Kiké Hernández, Teoscar Hernández, and Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw took the mic to express his gratitude, presenting Trump with a custom Dodgers jersey, stating, “This is an incredible honor for me to stand here today representing the Los Angeles Dodgers.”
As the team prepared for a tour of the Oval Office, Trump shared his hopes for the Dodgers’ future, expressing confidence in their potential to repeat as champions in 2025. “After seeing how successful you’ve begun this season, I can tell you that you can plan on being back here,” Trump said. “I hope you’re going to be back here next year.”
This event serves as a reminder of the intersection between sports and politics, showcasing how championship celebrations can evoke diverse opinions and emotions within a passionate fan base. The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to make their mark, not just on the field, but also in the broader cultural landscape.
