US President Donald Trump hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House on Thursday to celebrate their victory as the 2025 World Series champions. This marks the Dodgers’ second visit in two years following their previous title win. During the ceremony held in the Rose Garden, the Dodgers gifted Trump a personalized team jersey and a replica of their World Series championship ring. The president commended the team for their outstanding season and expressed optimism about their potential to clinch future championships.
Among the notable attendees were team stars Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and manager Dave Roberts. However, some key players were absent, including Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández. In his address, Trump lauded the Dodgers’ achievements and shared anecdotes about baseball icons like Babe Ruth and former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. He mistakenly mentioned veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw as an active player, despite Kershaw’s retirement following the previous World Series.
During the event, Trump humorously questioned the need to report receiving the championship ring before slipping it into his jacket pocket. The Dodgers’ visit elicited mixed responses from fans, particularly in light of recent immigration enforcement actions and protests in Los Angeles related to the Trump administration’s policies. Mookie Betts opted to spend the day with his family, while Kiké Hernández, who has criticized immigration raids, cited a rehabilitation commitment and stated he would not have attended the event regardless.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts defended the team’s choice to accept the White House invitation, emphasizing that the visit was a celebration of a long-standing sports tradition rather than a political statement. Traditionally, championship-winning teams have been invited to the White House as part of American custom, though participation has sometimes varied based on individual players’ personal beliefs and political affiliations.
