The Los Angeles Dodgers made their way to the White House on Thursday to celebrate their 2025 World Series victory, and President Donald Trump had nothing but glowing words for the team—especially their two-way superstar, Shohei Ohtani.
Trump welcomed the defending champions with open arms, noting their thrilling Game 7 win in extra innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. A solo blast from Will Smith in the top of the 11th inning sealed the deal, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto slamming the door to secure back-to-back titles for the Dodgers.
“I’m thrilled to say welcome back to the White House,” Trump said during the ceremony. “And maybe I’ll see you again next year.”
The president didn’t stop there. He lauded the Dodgers as one of the greatest brands in sports, but his highest praise was reserved for Ohtani. Trump called the four-time MVP the best hitter and pitcher in baseball, even drawing a comparison to the legendary Babe Ruth.
The White House’s official social media team fanned the flames by sharing a photo of Trump and Ohtani alongside two goat emojis—a clear nod to Ohtani’s status as one of the greatest of all time.
Unsurprisingly, the image sparked a firestorm of reactions from MLB fans online. One fan quipped, “You cannot even imagine how angry LA Times sportswriters are right now seeing Shohei Ohtani smiling with Donald Trump.” Another added, “Oklahoma City Thunder declining The White House invitation but The Los Angeles Dodgers accepting it is the funniest timeline yet.” A third fan predicted, “This photo is gonna go crazy after Shohei Ohtani has a bad game.”
Some fans were less amused, with one commenting, “If you thought I couldn’t hate the Dodgers anymore than I already did.” The visit also reignited debates about teams skipping White House visits, a topic UFC boss Dana White has weighed in on recently.
The Dodgers, who boast the best record in MLB at 65-38, return to action Friday night against the New York Mets. With Ohtani leading the charge, they’re poised for another deep postseason run.
Trump’s praise for Ohtani comes amid a broader trend of political figures engaging with sports stars. Earlier this year, Trump took aim at the struggling Mets during a Braves rally, showing his willingness to mix sports and politics.
