Trump fetes Dodgers at the White House again, saying the team is 'one of the great brands' - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos

What the report says

ABC News, carrying an Associated Press report by Will Weissert and Darlene Superville, said President Donald Trump hosted the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House on Thursday, July 23, 2026. The Rose Garden ceremony marked the Dodgers’ second straight championship, following their Game 7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays last November. Trump praised the franchise as a globally recognized brand and welcomed the team back after a 2025 White House visit for its previous title.

The event featured Dodgers stars including Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, along with manager Dave Roberts. Trump highlighted Ohtani’s two-way abilities, comparing him with Babe Ruth, and recounted watching the Dodgers’ 18-inning Game 3 victory. The team presented Trump with a “Trump 47” jersey and what appeared to be a replica World Series ring. Roberts said the Dodgers were aiming for a third consecutive championship.

ABC/AP noted that Mookie Betts did not attend, though he was present for the team’s 2025 visit; Betts has said he prefers to spend scheduled off-days with family. The Dodgers were in Washington during a break between road series against the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.

The report also placed the appearance in the broader tradition of championship teams visiting the White House, dating back to an 1869 visit by the Cincinnati Red Stockings. It noted that sports visits during Trump’s presidency have sometimes drawn controversy, including his 2018 withdrawal of an invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles after some players indicated they might not attend.