Trump HOSTS 2024 Champions – Guess Who?

President Trump welcomed the 2024 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House, celebrating their victory while delivering a ceremony filled with both baseball praise and political commentary.

At a Glance

  • Trump hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House to honor their 2024 World Series championship
  • He praised star players including Shohei Ohtani for becoming baseball’s first 50/50 player and criticized the Red Sox for trading Mookie Betts
  • Clayton Kershaw presented Trump with a Dodgers jersey during the ceremony
  • Trump predicted the Dodgers would return to the White House next year based on their strong start to the new season
  • Some players who previously skipped White House visits, including Mookie Betts, attended this ceremony

A Presidential Welcome for Champions

President Donald Trump welcomed the Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House Monday, honoring their 2024 World Series championship with ceremony and fanfare. The visit marked the second time in five seasons that the Dodgers have celebrated a championship in Washington, D.C., underlining their dominant position in Major League Baseball. During the ceremony, Trump highlighted the team’s remarkable achievements throughout their championship season, particularly focusing on standout performances from key players who helped secure their victory. 

The President saved special praise for Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, recognizing his historic achievement as baseball’s first 50/50 player. Trump also commented on Mookie Betts’ contributions to the team, while criticizing the Boston Red Sox organization for trading the outfielder to Los Angeles. The remarks reflected Trump’s characteristic direct style, mixing baseball analysis with pointed commentary about team management decisions that have shaped the league’s competitive landscape. 

Team Unity and Presidential Politics

In a notable moment during the ceremony, longtime Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw presented President Trump with a customized Dodgers jersey. Kershaw, who was sidelined by injury during the postseason run, offered heartfelt remarks about his teammates’ character and perseverance. The veteran pitcher, widely respected throughout baseball, used the platform to highlight the qualities that made the championship team special beyond their athletic achievements. 

“The selflessness and humility that each one of these players and staff have shown over the last year is truly an inspiration. They have constantly played hurt, switched positions and taken the ball to put the team first. As a spectator for our championship run last year, I was in awe of this group,” says Clayton Kershaw.

The visit was not without political undertones. Trump declined to introduce certain senators in attendance, stating frankly, “I just don’t particularly like them, so I won’t introduce (them).” This candid moment exemplified Trump’s approach to protocol, prioritizing personal relationships over traditional ceremony. The President also made economic claims during the baseball celebration, asserting that egg prices had dropped by 73% during his administration, briefly shifting focus from sports to policy achievements.

Overcoming Obstacles and Looking Forward

The 2024 Dodgers championship team overcame significant challenges, including using 38 different pitchers and even pressing two position players into pitching duty throughout their grueling season. Despite these obstacles, they persevered to claim baseball’s ultimate prize. Several injured Dodgers players joined the celebration in Washington, participating in the formal ceremony and touring the Oval Office. Their presence underscored the team-first mentality that characterized their championship run.

“After seeing how successful you’ve begun this season, I can tell you that you can plan on being back here. I hope you’re going to be back here next year,” says President Trump.

Manager Dave Roberts, who initially expressed some hesitation about the White House visit, ultimately decided to attend in support of his championship team. “We all as an organization decided that we were going to go,” Roberts explained, emphasizing the importance of honoring their achievement collectively. 

Mookie Betts, who had previously declined a White House invitation when he won the World Series with the Boston Red Sox, chose to attend this celebration with his Dodgers teammates, demonstrating the unifying power of team accomplishment across political differences.