Full Breakdown
Trump Welcomes Dodgers to the White House After Back-to-Back Titles
7/23/2026, 11:02:25 PM
Trump Welcomes Dodgers to the White House
President Donald Trump hosted World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the Rose Garden on Thursday, marking a celebration of the team’s second consecutive championship. The event followed the Dodgers’ Game 7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays last October, which made the franchise the first repeat champion in 25 years.
Historical Context of Presidential Sports Visits
Championship teams have been invited to the White House since 1869, when President Ulysses S. Grant welcomed the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The tradition continued through the modern era, with each title-winning squad typically receiving a ceremony in the East Room or Rose Garden. Trump previously honored the Dodgers in April 2025 for their 2024 title, and his administration has revamped the Rose Garden with a patio reminiscent of his Mar-a-Lago club.
Official Statements
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the invitation reflects the team’s focus on winning rather than politics, noting, “My company line, my personal line, is, I hope that we get this invitation every year because that’s the goal, to win a championship, to get this invitation to the White House.” The president, a lifelong baseball fan, praised the event and used the platform to criticize the New York Mets’ payroll, saying the Mets “lose all the time.” Former Braves manager Brian Snitker and Braves Development Company CEO Mike Plant also appeared onstage.
Data & Statistics
- Dodgers: World Series champions in 2024 and 2025, the first repeat champion since 1999.
- Game 7 win over Toronto: 4-2 final score (Associated Press).
- Mets payroll: cited by Trump as the highest in baseball, though exact figures were not provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My company line, my personal line, is, I hope that we get this invitation every year because that’s the goal, to win a championship, to get this invitation to the White House,” — Dave Roberts
- “There are teams like that, where they never go down,” — Florida. Trump
