President Donald Trump hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House on Thursday to celebrate their victory in the 2025 World Series, marking the team’s second visit in two years following their recent triumphs. The ceremony took place in the Rose Garden, where the Dodgers gifted Trump with a personalized team jersey and a replica of the World Series championship ring. During the event, the President commended the Dodgers for their stellar season and expressed optimism about their future successes.
The event saw attendance from several of the Dodgers’ key players, such as Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and manager Dave Roberts. However, some notable figures like Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández opted not to attend. In his address, Trump congratulated the team and highlighted various players while reminiscing about baseball legends like Babe Ruth and former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. He also lauded retired pitcher Clayton Kershaw, mistakenly referring to him as still active, despite Kershaw’s retirement following last season’s World Series.
Trump humorously questioned whether he needed to declare the championship ring he received as a gift before pocketing it. The White House visit stirred mixed feelings among Dodgers fans, particularly against the backdrop of recent immigration enforcement actions and protests in Los Angeles linked to policies from the Trump administration. Mookie Betts explained his absence by saying he wished to spend time with his family, while Kiké Hernández, a critic of the immigration raids, cited a rehab commitment and noted he would have declined the invitation regardless.
Manager Dave Roberts defended the team’s decision to attend, emphasizing that the visit was meant to honor the long-standing tradition of championship teams visiting the White House and was not politically motivated. The tradition of White House visits for winning teams has deep roots in American sports culture, though participation has varied over the years, reflecting players’ personal views and political beliefs.