Trump accepts LA Dodgers' special gifts at warm WH reception after calling city 'trash heap' in the past

The celebration unfolded with all the pageantry of a championship White House visit. The Dodgers filed past the Presidential Walk of Fame before taking their places on risers in the Rose Garden, where a jazzy rendition of 'I Love L.A.' set the tone. Guests dressed in Dodgers blue filled the audience as President Trump walked out of the Oval Office with owner Mark Walter and manager Dave Roberts, greeted by the familiar strains of 'Hail to the Chief.'

The White House celebration also revived memories of Trump's repeated criticism of Los Angeles. In recent months, Trump described parts of the city as a "trash heap" while defending his administration's immigration crackdown and arguing that Democratic leaders had failed to maintain public safety and order. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass forcefully rejected those characterizations. She accused the administration's immigration enforcement strategy of traumatizing immigrant neighborhoods and damaging the city's economy, arguing that Los Angeles should not be defined by political attacks. Bass repeatedly called on the federal government to halt the raids, saying the operations were spreading fear among families and workers. "This is a city of immigrants," she said, adding that residents should not have to live in fear of enforcement actions while going about their daily lives.

Although White House visits by championship teams are a longstanding tradition, the Dodgers' appearance came against the backdrop of political controversy in Los Angeles. Several Dodgers players did not attend Thursday's ceremony. Mookie Betts cited family commitments, while Kiké Hernández, who has publicly criticized the administration's immigration policies and expressed support for communities affected by the ICE raids, was also absent. Pitcher Edgardo Henriquez likewise did not join the White House delegation.

As the Dodgers stood behind him awaiting the ceremony, Trump paused before his prepared remarks to showcase changes he has made to the Rose Garden. Gesturing toward the newly installed white stone, he explained that it replaced grass that "was always wet" because the White House sits on former wetlands. He then pointed out gleaming gold letters spelling 'The Rose Garden' on a nearby awning and capped the moment with a jab at former President Joe Biden, "You think Biden would do that? I don't think so."

The Rose Garden ceremony honored the Dodgers' 2025 World Series championship, marking the team's second consecutive title. Trump praised the organization as "one of the great brands anywhere in the world" and highlighted several of its biggest stars, including Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, while joking that he hoped to host the club again if it completed a three-peat. Trump reserved some of his warmest praise for Shohei Ohtani, describing the two-way superstar as one of baseball's most extraordinary talents. The president highlighted Ohtani's record-breaking MVP campaign and his continued impact at the plate and on the mound, calling attention to the global appeal that has made the Japanese phenom one of the sport's biggest international stars.

One of the ceremony's defining moments came when Dodgers owner Mark Walter presented Trump with two commemorative gifts. The president received a personalized Dodgers jersey bearing the No. 47—a nod to his position as the 47th president of the United States—as well as a World Series championship ring. Holding the ring, Trump quipped, "Do I have to report this?" drawing laughter from players, coaches and guests gathered in the Rose Garden. The personalized presentation became one of the day's most photographed moments, with Trump smiling alongside Walter as the Dodgers celebrated their latest championship.