Dodgers’ Upcoming White House Visit Confirmed Amid Controversy
The Trump administration announced on Wednesday that the Los Angeles Dodgers are set to attend a White House ceremony honoring them, despite some calls to cancel the visit this year.
A White House official informed the Post that the Dodgers have been in discussions with the administration, and while the date for the visit hasn’t been established yet, the team does plan to show up.
Interestingly, the Dodgers chose not to comment on the situation when asked.
When approached about this weekend’s visit, team principal Stan Kasten remarked, “We don’t have any news on that,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also shared his thoughts, saying, “I’m going to go to the White House… I’m not going to try to make a political statement and I’m going to continue to try and follow tradition, because I’m not a politician.”
The Dodgers have visited the White House after their last two World Series victories—first with President Biden in 2021 and then with President Trump last April.
Last year’s trip stirred mixed feelings among some fans, but attendance was full. Owner Mark Walter and now-retired pitcher Clayton Kershaw welcomed guests during a reception in the East Room.
“It’s an incredible honor to visit the White House, regardless of who is in office,” Kershaw commented after last year’s visit. He reflected, “We went in 2021. We went this time. I know there was a lot going on about whether the Dodgers should go or not. But at the end of the day, to go to the White House, to see the Oval Office, to meet the President of the United States—that’s something you don’t forget, no matter what you believe. It was such an honor to go. I’m glad we were able to be a part of it.”
Mookie Betts was the only player last year to voice initial concerns about attending. After winning the championship in 2018 while playing for the Boston Red Sox, he opted out of that White House visit during Trump’s first term and later decided to join the Dodgers in 2025.
He expressed, “No matter what I say or do, people are going to take it as political. But that’s definitely not what it’s about. This is about what the Dodgers were able to accomplish last year.”
