The Los Angeles Dodgers visited the White House on Thursday to be honored by President Donald Trump for winning their second consecutive World Series championship in 2025. The ceremony took place in the Rose Garden during an off-day on the team’s road trip, with players, coaches, and team executives in attendance.
President Trump welcomed the Dodgers back to the White House, praising the team’s accomplishments and highlighting significant moments from their championship run. He described the Dodgers as “a special team” and called their World Series victory “one of the most thrilling championships in the history of the sport.” Trump also recounted specific postseason performances, including Shohei Ohtani’s dominant pitching and hitting in the National League pennant clincher, and catcher Will Smith’s game-saving foot placement in Game 7 of the World Series. At the event, the Dodgers presented Trump with a World Series ring and a jersey bearing his favored number, 47.
The ceremony featured several familiar faces from the championship roster, though some players such as Mookie Betts and reliever Edgardo Henriquez did not attend. Former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who had retired and now serves as a special adviser in the front office, joined the group and engaged in light-hearted exchanges with Trump. Team owner Mark Walter, president Stan Kasten, and executive vice president Lon Rosen were also present, while key baseball executives Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes remained on the West Coast preparing for the MLB trade deadline.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed gratitude during the remarks and emphasized the team’s goal of securing a third straight World Series title. The visit also included President Trump inviting the team to the Oval Office, where he presented them with commemorative challenge coins.
The decision to visit the White House sparked some debate given the current political climate. Some Dodgers fans and activists opposed the visit, citing concerns over Trump’s immigration policies and their impact on parts of the team’s diverse fan base. However, Roberts and others emphasized that the trip was intended to honor the team’s athletic achievement and uphold an established tradition of champions meeting the sitting president, regardless of party affiliation. Supporters of the visit argued it represented a moment of civic unity and a break from the often sharply divided political environment.
The timing of the visit was arranged around the team’s schedule during their East Coast road trip, occurring between games against the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets. This marked the Dodgers’ third visit to the White House following World Series wins in 2020 and 2024, the prior two during the administrations of Joe Biden and Trump respectively.
The White House ceremony came amid unrelated reports that federal prosecutors are investigating financial dealings involving Dodgers owner Mark Walter’s business interests. No charges have been filed, and Walter’s representatives have expressed cooperation with authorities.
Overall, the event provided a platform for recognition of the Dodgers’ on-field success while underscoring ongoing discussions about the intersection of sports, politics, and public engagement.