Obama‘s “Congratulations, Dodgers!” Contrasts Sharply with Trump‘s Post-World Series Response
WASHINGTON D.C. – November 4, 2025 – A simple, four-word message - “Congratulations, Dodgers!” – from former President Barack Obama following the team’s World Series victory stands in stark contrast to the more declarative response offered by former President Donald Trump, highlighting a recurring pattern in how the two leaders acknowledged championship teams during their time in office. The Dodgers now face potential internal division and external pressure regarding a potential White House visit.
While Trump routinely framed White House invitations as a privilege,stating,”If they want to be here,the greatest place on Earth,I’ll be here. If they don’t want to be here, I don’t want them,” Obama’s approach was consistently congratulatory, hosting visits from the st. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red sox, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants (who attended three times) with minimal controversy. This difference underscores a broader divergence in the political climate surrounding professional sports during their presidencies.
The Dodgers are currently navigating a situation where some fans have pressured players to protest Trump’s past policies impacting Los Angeles by declining a potential invitation. Despite this, the team is expected to accept, mirroring their actions last year. During Trump’s first term, half of the championship teams across major sports leagues opted not to visit the White House, including instances where Trump rescinded invitations, such as with the Philadelphia Eagles, and faced outright snubs from NBA stars like Stephen Curry and LeBron James.
Earlier this year, Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol, originally from Venezuela, protested a visit with Trump. The upcoming decision by the dodgers is likely to generate controversy regardless of their choice, a scenario that would have been unlikely during the Obama governance.
