Dodgers White House visit: Team sets date to celebrate World Series with Trump
Dodgers Set Date to Celebrate World Series Victory with Trump at White House
Washington, D.C. – March 26, 2025 – The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off their 2024 World Series triumph, have officially scheduled a visit to the White House to celebrate their championship with President Donald Trump. The team announced on Tuesday that they will make the trip on April 7, 2025, aligning with their upcoming series against the Washington Nationals, marking a continuation of a long-standing baseball tradition honoring title-winning teams.
The Dodgers clinched their eighth World Series title on October 30, 2024, defeating the New York Yankees 7-6 in a dramatic Game 5 comeback at Yankee Stadium. The victory, which saw the team rally from a 5-0 deficit, capped their first full-season championship since 1988 and solidified their status as one of baseball’s elite franchises. Now, just over five months later, the Dodgers will head to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to commemorate their achievement.
“In keeping with long-standing baseball tradition, President Trump has invited the 2024 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House when they play in Washington D.C. on April 7,” the team stated on social media. “The Dodgers look forward to visiting the White House and celebrating our title.” The announcement also noted that members of the organization will visit Capitol Hill on April 8, adding a legislative leg to their D.C. itinerary.
Manager Dave Roberts, speaking ahead of an exhibition game against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, expressed enthusiasm for the honor. “It’s certainly a huge honor to get the invitation to the White House,” Roberts said. “It allows us to celebrate our 2024 championship. To my understanding, every World Series champion gets that honor, so it’s a great honor for all of us.” Roberts confirmed his attendance, despite past comments in 2019 suggesting he might decline a Trump White House visit due to political differences. “I respect the position,” he added. “It’s the highest office in our country, certainly in the world. So I’m looking forward to it.”
The decision has sparked a mix of reactions among fans and observers, given the Dodgers’ deep ties to Los Angeles—a city that leans heavily Democratic—and the polarizing figure of President Trump. Some supporters celebrated the team’s acceptance of the invitation as a nod to tradition, while others expressed disappointment, citing Trump’s past rhetoric and policies. Social media posts reflected this divide, with one fan writing, “Sports should transcend politics—proud of the Dodgers for accepting,” while another countered, “This is a slap in the face to fans of color who supported this team.”
The visit marks the Dodgers’ second White House trip in five years. In July 2021, they celebrated their 2020 World Series title—won in a COVID-shortened season—with President Joe Biden, becoming the first professional sports team to visit during his administration. That event, limited to about 50 attendees due to health protocols, contrasted with the fuller celebration expected this time around under Trump’s tenure.
The April 7 visit coincides with the Dodgers’ first game of a three-game series against the Nationals, starting at 6:45 PM EDT at Nationals Park. The timing offers a convenient opportunity for the team to blend their championship festivities with their regular-season schedule. Key players like Mookie Betts, who skipped a 2019 White House visit with the Boston Red Sox during Trump’s first term, have yet to confirm their participation. Betts, a vocal advocate for social justice, attended the 2021 Biden visit and said Tuesday he would discuss the matter with his family before deciding.
The Dodgers’ 2024 title run was highlighted by standout performances from Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman, with the team overcoming a rollercoaster postseason to secure the championship. Their victory parade in Los Angeles drew massive crowds, and this White House visit will serve as another milestone in their celebratory journey.
As the Dodgers prepare to meet Trump, the event underscores baseball’s enduring tradition of honoring champions at the White House—a practice dating back to 1865 when President Andrew Johnson welcomed amateur clubs. Whether all players join the trip or opt out, as some have under previous administrations, the Dodgers’ visit promises to be a notable moment in their storied history, blending sports glory with national recognition.
