The Los Angeles Dodgers' decision to accept an invitation to the White House to celebrate their World Series championship has sparked sharp criticism from a longtime Los Angeles Times columnist, who described the move as «tone deaf» and «an insult to their fans.» Bill Plaschke, a veteran sports journalist, argued in a recent column that the team's visit to President Donald Trump sends the wrong message to a fan base that includes a large number of Hispanic and immigrant communities.
Plaschke's column, published Thursday, questioned why the Dodgers would embrace a president whose policies, he said, have «ravaged» their supporters. He pointed to immigration enforcement actions, including raids that he said affected thousands of people in Los Angeles, many of whom are Dodgers fans. «Why in the hell do they insist on embracing the person trying to tear this city apart?» Plaschke wrote, referring to Trump.
The Dodgers are scheduled to visit the White House for the second time in recent years, following their 2024 World Series title. The team previously visited after winning the championship in 2020, a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Plaschke noted that several other championship teams in recent years have declined White House invitations during Trump's presidency, including the 2017 NBA champion Golden State Warriors, the 2018 Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, and the 2025 NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Plaschke also invoked the legacy of Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. «An organization cannot boast of sharing a uniform with Jackie Robinson while sharing a very public afternoon with President Trump,» he wrote, suggesting that the visit contradicts the team's historical commitment to racial equality. Critics of the column have pushed back, arguing that the comparison is unfounded and that immigration enforcement is not inherently racist.
The Dodgers have defended their decision, stating that visiting the White House is a way to show respect for the country and the office of the presidency, not an endorsement of any particular political figure or policy. Team officials have emphasized that the visit is a tradition for championship teams and a celebration of athletic achievement. However, Plaschke dismissed that reasoning, saying that the administration's actions, particularly immigration raids, undermined any claim of neutrality.
The debate over the Dodgers' White House visit reflects broader tensions in American sports, where teams and athletes increasingly navigate political and social issues. In recent years, several teams have chosen to skip White House visits under both Republican and Democratic administrations, citing policy disagreements or personal convictions. The Golden State Warriors declined an invitation in 2017, and the Philadelphia Eagles did so in 2018, with some players citing Trump's comments on NFL protests during the national anthem.
Plaschke's column also criticized the Dodgers for not immediately condemning the immigration raids, noting that other professional sports teams in Los Angeles had spoken out. He accused the organization of using the White House visit as a «cheap Trump photo op» and urged the team to reconsider. «It's not too late,» he wrote. «The Dodgers still have time to change their minds and do the right thing.» He concluded by calling the team «two-time losers» if they proceed with the visit.
The Dodgers' fan base is among the most diverse in Major League Baseball, with a significant proportion of Hispanic and immigrant supporters. The team has long celebrated its connection to the Latino community, hosting events such as LGBTQ+ Pride Night and cultural heritage celebrations. Plaschke argued that the White House visit undermines those efforts, particularly given Trump's policies on immigration and his administration's stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
Supporters of the Dodgers' decision have countered that the visit is a non-political tradition that honors the team's achievement. They note that previous administrations, including those of both parties, have hosted championship teams. Some have also pointed out that President Barack Obama deported a record number of undocumented immigrants during his tenure, a fact that Plaschke did not address in his column.
The controversy comes amid heightened political polarization in the United States, where sports have become a battleground for cultural and ideological debates. The Dodgers' visit is expected to proceed as planned, with the team scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., in the coming weeks. Whether the visit will further divide fans or be seen as a routine ceremonial event remains to be seen.
