President Donald Trump welcomed the Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House on Thursday, commemorating their remarkable achievement of securing a second consecutive World Series title. During a Rose Garden event, Mr. Trump hailed the Dodgers as "one of the great brands anywhere in the world," acknowledging their recent triumph.
The President specifically referenced their thrilling Game 7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, calling it "a hell of a series." He expressed surprise upon learning that the Dodgers had never before won consecutive championships, before playfully speculating about the prospect of a third straight title. Mr. Trump also extended a warm welcome, stating, "I’m thrilled to say welcome back to the White House. And maybe I’ll see you again next year."
A particular highlight for the President was his anticipation of meeting star player Shohei Ohtani, whom he extensively compared to baseball icon Babe Ruth. Mr. Trump even suggested Ohtani was arguably the best hitter and pitcher in the sport. This celebration followed a previous occasion in April 2025 where the President had saluted the team in the East Room, marking their 2024 World Series championship over the New York Yankees.
During the event, Mr. Trump was presented with a Trump 47 jersey and what appeared to be a replica World Series ring. Upon receiving the ring, he jokingly exclaimed, "Wow. Do I have to report this? I don't want to report this," before slipping it into his suit jacket. The President also briefly mentioned his focus on the escalating conflict in Iran, stating it had kept him from closely following baseball, though this was his only reference to the Middle East situation during the event.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who also spoke briefly, confirmed the team's ambition, stating, "We’re going for a three-peat." While many players were present, star right fielder Mookie Betts was notably absent, having opted to spend his scheduled day off with family, despite having attended the 2025 visit. Championship baseball teams have been visiting the White House since 1869, a tradition that has occasionally seen controversy during Mr. Trump's presidency, such as the rescinded invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018.