As excited fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers filled the stadium for the 2025 Opening Day afternoon game against the Detroit Tigers, many people across social media and beyond are expressing disappointment and even anger over the team’s March 25 announcement on X that they will visit the White House early next month to celebrate the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series Championship.
“In keeping with long-standing baseball tradition, President [Donald] Trump has invited the 2024 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers to the White House when they play in Washington D.C. on April 7. The Dodgers look forward to visiting the White House and celebrating our title,” read the post.
“How can anyone support that crook? He should be in jail,” wrote David Wilson on the Facebook fan page Dodger Nation, which has over 500,000 followers. “Been a Dodger fan for more than 60 years, this sucks. … What are we teaching our young people? That it’s okay to commit crimes and have no humanity?”
“So disappointing! Especially given that this regime erased Jackie Robinson’s military record from our history,” wrote Nicole Pando Vicioso.
Others posted similar comments. Robinson, who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, was also a military veteran. His service with the U.S. Army during World War II was temporarily removed from the Department of Defense website as part of Trump’s efforts to purge references to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“What better way to show the president what a DEI team can do, led by a Japanese guy, Shohei Ohtani, African American Mookie Betts, Canadian Freddy Freeman, Dominican Teo Hernandez and a half Japanese American coach,” commented Kenneth Reyes.
Christopher Castro of Sylmar, who got together with a group of fellow Dodger fans at TacosWay in San Fernando to watch the first game of the season, also emphasized what a diverse team the world champions are.
“Think about who’s on this field right now – you have Hispanics, you have African Americans, you have Asians – it’s a huge melting pot,” he told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol.
Castro, who was born and raised in LA, said he’s a lifelong Dodger fan, and although he was surprised and disappointed that the team accepted the invitation to the White House, he said, “I don’t blame them.”
“I don’t know where the decision is coming from – is it coming from the higher ups? Is it coming from the team?” said Castro, adding that he hopes some players will decide not to show up to meet Trump in person on April 7. Regardless, Castro said he will remain a devoted fan.
Other fans expressed support for both the team and the current administration.
“Perfect way to top off a perfect year. The greatest team and the greatest president in the [people’s] house!” commented Charlene Fitzpatrick.
“Good,” wrote Manolo Lopez. “Latinos and Dodgers for Trump!”
The day after the White House visit, members of the Dodgers will also visit Capitol Hill.
During Trump’s first term, 10 championship sports teams didn’t visit the White House. This year, the National Hockey League Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers visited Trump in early February, and the reigning National Football League’s Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles – who declined to meet with Trump after their previous Super Bowl win in 2018 – accepted an invitation to the White House for April 28.
I love the Dodgers but there are things that are so much more important than your favorite sports team….like the Country that you love and trying to keep it safe from the Trump regime!
Lol…..
Agree. I have lost all respect for Dodger owners. Doger fan for 65 years. Someone must stand up to him and say no. 2 of his children have
This is a bogus article. Bunch of lies. Please state the facts and not lies.
💯
To those expressing disappointment for the Dodgers being honored at the White House: Eat it.
Trump 2028 baby! Get used to it!!
You must’ve missed US Gov 101.
Love the Dodgers but this decision is disappointing
Dodgers are gay and so is Trump
You are another gullible sob
The Dodgers visit to White House another example of people not respecting themselves or fellow human beings,Trump a convicted felon and sexual predator who incited insurrection against our country and his administration is full of sycophants who bend over to this wannbee dictator at the expense of American interests and safety.
We tip our caps to the losers and honor the winners! We remember the winning teams and players foremost! We rarely remember the losers for as long. Enjoy the day my Dodgers.
I agree that our boys in blue are a diverse bunch, but they are definitely not DEI. They are quite the opposite. Each and every one of them has earn their spot in this team because of their skills and talent not because of the color of their skin, nationality, or sexual preference. I’m sure they have different political views, but I respect them for honoring this tradition of visiting the White House and the President.
That’s exactly what DEI is. lol. Anyone hired thanks to a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion IS there based on their qualifications and skills. DEI is just in place to make sure you are not discriminated or passed up because of your background.
The article is misleading and should state a very small but vocal minority of fans do not support the visit while the overwhelming majority of silent fans do. Also, nany of the comments against the visit comments are unbalanced and disconnected from reality, particularly equating DEI with diversity on the team as it has nothing to do with the President and the visit. The team is and would have been diverse anyway.
Seruiosly, this you have a problem with? The Dodgers invited and celebrated the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” who literally mock Jesus for pride day. That should have been your line in the sand.
You need to realign your values. The Dodgers are entertainment. God does not watch.
Trump is our president. Elon is not Hitler. Baseball is our pastime. The USA is the greatest country in the world. Be a good human everyday.
Everyone should show up to the White House in Robinson jerseys.
Go Dodgers! You go take your props and show this administration what diversify, teamwork and respect looks like! Stand tall Stand proud and Thank you for having tge courage to face those who know nothing of honor for the great American game ! You have center stage so Drop that Mic!
I will have a ton of respect for any players who do NOT go!
The White House is a special place in American History. Trump is a racist and bigot that doesn’t deserve to be there.
“Perfect way to top off a perfect year. The greatest team and the greatest president in the [people’s] house!” commented Charlene Fitzpatrick”
Thanks Charlene, back to bed now!
I support my team. I am sure some of the team will not attend and wouldn’t blame them at all. The boys better cover up their tattoos, they might be tagged as a gang member.
Hey Kenneth, Freddy was born in the OC. Not Canada.
He will do his Time in Orange
Just needs too get caught Again and let the PEOPLE SPEAK.IBE BEEN A DODGER FAN FOR 55 YEARS. Let the Team Go. It’s a part of History. Good. Bad or Ugly. They still desire to go.
Trump 2028 baby! Get used to it!!
I’m a Dodgers fan only, the visit to WH should not be a political spectacle even if I don’t care for it.
I’m a Dodgers fan only, the visit to WH should not be a political spectacle even if I don’t care for it.
The Dodgers players were not hired using DEI. The Dodgers franchise hired the best baseball players they could find regardless of color and ethnicity.
It’s about Baseball and tradition not politics!
TDS there is a cure for it. Be like Rosie ODonnell and move to another country!
Symptom of TDS support is being arrested for soliciting minors, you next??
Trump, is on track. Dodg is on track, JFK -Jr is on track. People agents them are mest up.
I support the Dodgers going to the White House, where they can show tRump what we’re made of, a beautiful “tossed salad” (from the world of bilingual education, together we’re individuals united by the “dressing” of America, but not losing our individual identities) and hopefully being back respect for Jackie Robinson.
What a disgrace. Your community is under attack – your fans are being pulled out of their beds, accosted at their workplace, dragged out of their schools and houses of worship. BEYOND inconceivable you would even consider this little field trip. Disappointed, Embarrassed and Ashamed doesn’t even begin to describe this BETRAYAL.
I’m glad the Dodgers are going to the White House. Can we just leave politics out of sports? It’s bad enough we have a country half decided. Lets leave politics out of sports and cheer for your favorite team whether they visit the White House or not. Go Dodgers!
No way they should go to the White House while Trump is dismantling our democracy and disrespecting one of the greatest Dodgers and baseball pioneer, Jackie Robinson. Stay Home Blue!
In response to a comment above:
“ What better way to show the president what a DEI team can do, led by a Japanese guy, Shohei Ohtani, African American Mookie Betts, Canadian Freddy Freeman, Dominican Teo Hernandez and a half Japanese American coach,” commented Kenneth Reyes.”
Those players you referenced are part of the Dodgers NOT because of their race but because they are the best at what they do!
Try being “color blind” for a healthy change, rather than DISCRIMINATING based on race! The twisted hypocrisy is mind boggling
Bunch of crybabies
This is misleading the readers. The Dodgers may have a diverse team but the were not contracted by those diversities. The all are on the team based on their merit to play high levels of skills of baseball.not because of their race, gender, or ethnicity. This must have been written by a snowflake.
Ohhhh come on Los Angeles Dodger’s Blue Bleeders team 💙. You simply can’t stoop this low and show up to this place. He just wants the notoriety that you’re even there. He cares about “nothing but himself” doesn’t even know anything about baseball 🙄! He’s such an idiot, moron, @sshole of a president! He’ll probably just try to steal the show/moment in which it was intended! Please 🙏 don’t go and show up for this farce of an important event!