Trump says Oval Office is a great place to negotiate because everyone feels 'discombobulated'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Thursday, July 23, that the Oval Office gives him an advantage in negotiations because visitors often feel "discombobulated" when they enter.

Trump made the remarks while hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House to celebrate their 2025 World Series championship. The ceremony in the Rose Garden included the presentation of a commemorative World Series ring and a custom No. 47 Dodgers jersey for the president before he invited the team into the Oval Office.

Trump says Oval Office is a great place to negotiate

Addressing players, coaches, and team executives in the Rose Garden, Trump described the Oval Office as "the most powerful office in the world" and said its atmosphere affects even the world's most prominent leaders.

"I just want to say we are steps away from the most powerful office in the world, the Oval Office where everything begins and ends," Trump said.

"The most important people in the world go in here. We had King Charles here three weeks ago, we have (Chinese President) Xi Jinping coming in another three weeks."

Trump then explained why he believes the setting benefits him during high-level meetings.

"People walk into the Oval Office and no matter who they are, they just sort of feel... different," he said. "It's a great place to negotiate because everyone's all discombobulated when they walk in and it's a great time for me to negotiate with them so we do that as often as possible."

The president later told the Dodgers he would take them inside the Oval Office, where each member of the team would receive "a special beautiful coin that everybody loves and everybody wants."

Earlier in the ceremony, Dodgers owner Mark Walter presented Trump with an honorary 2025 World Series championship ring and a Dodgers jersey bearing the number 47.

Holding up the ring, Trump remarked, "Do I have to report this? I don't want to report this. That's beautiful.

Trump highlights White House renovations during Dodgers celebration

The White House visit marked the Dodgers' second consecutive championship celebration in Washington after also visiting in 2025 following their 2024 World Series title.

Trump congratulated the club on its back-to-back championships, calling it "a very special team" and expressing hope the Dodgers would return next year.

Before concluding the event, Trump pointed to several ongoing White House renovation projects, including construction of a new ballroom and helipad.

"There's the ballroom and the military facility, here's the helipad we're building... We're building a beautiful helipad," Trump said, adding that the improvements would bring the White House "to a level that it was not at even when it was first built." 

Most members of the Dodgers' championship roster attended the ceremony, although Mookie Betts did not participate, saying he chose to spend time with his family, while Kike Hernandez remained away from the club as he continues his rehabilitation assignment. The ceremony concluded with Trump inviting the team into the Oval Office for a private visit.