LOS ANGELES – It was a day that blurred the lines between politics, pop culture, and professional sports in a way only Donald J. Trump could orchestrate. During a surprise appearance at the Los Angeles Dodgers’ training facility this week, the former president and 2024 Republican nominee once again found a way to dominate the headlines—not with policy positions or campaign promises, but with a blend of celebrity adulation and political attacks.
The center of his admiration? Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, who Trump called “a movie star who just happens to hit baseballs into the stratosphere.” But in typical Trump fashion, the compliments came laced with broadsides—this time aimed squarely at members of the U.S. Senate, whom he derided as “boring,” “corrupt,” and “jealous of winners like Ohtani.”
As cameras rolled and players stood in stunned silence, Trump’s off-the-cuff remarks turned what was expected to be a simple goodwill visit into a political spectacle.
A Surprise Drop-In at Dodger Stadium
What began as an informal meet-and-greet for Trump with Dodgers ownership and selected VIPs quickly morphed into a full-blown media circus when word got out that the former president would be addressing the team. Though not officially part of the Dodgers’ schedule, the campaign-managed visit had been negotiated in private for weeks.
According to a team executive who spoke on condition of anonymity, Trump’s visit was originally pitched as a brief photo-op and handshake tour. But in typical fashion, Trump turned it into a performance.
Wearing a custom Dodgers jersey with “TRUMP 47” stitched on the back, the former president walked onto the field at Chavez Ravine flanked by Secret Service agents and a campaign photographer. The team had just wrapped up a light practice session, and a few dozen players—including Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman—were still on the diamond when Trump approached.
Trump on Ohtani: ‘He Could Be in Hollywood Tomorrow’
The moment Trump locked eyes on Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ $700 million man, he launched into an effusive monologue.
“Look at this guy—Shohei! He’s not just a ballplayer. He’s a movie star. You could be in Hollywood tomorrow, easily. You speak great English now, by the way,” Trump said, referencing the media firestorm around Ohtani’s use of an interpreter.
The former president then turned to the rest of the clubhouse and added, “You know, I’ve met a lot of athletes. Golfers, football players, even some of those NBA guys—some good ones, some not so good. But Shohei? He’s got that It Factor. The face, the talent, the whole package.”
Players chuckled nervously as Trump gestured like a casting agent assessing a rising star. Ohtani smiled politely and gave a short bow but declined to engage further.
Later, when asked by reporters about Trump’s comments, Ohtani demurred: “It was nice to meet him. I’m focused on baseball.”
Targeting the Senate: ‘They’re All Jealous’
As the attention shifted to a Q&A session near the dugout, Trump pivoted to politics with characteristic aggression.
“You know why the Senators don’t like guys like Shohei?” Trump asked rhetorically. “Because he’s talented. He’s good-looking. And he wins. They don’t win. They pass bad bills and get rich doing nothing. That’s what they do in Washington—nothing.”
Without naming names, Trump insinuated that certain Democratic Senators had “tried to get in the way” of sports-related policies, including foreign visa waivers and international player negotiations.
“There’s a lot of jealousy in politics,” he added. “They don’t like when somebody comes to America, makes a lot of money, and becomes a hero to millions. That’s not their script. But it’s mine.”
Though no concrete legislative examples were given, Trump’s insinuations seemed crafted to rile his base while further cementing his new alignment with athletes and celebrities.
The Team’s Reaction: Stunned Silence and Private Unease
Inside the Dodgers clubhouse, reactions ranged from bemused to visibly uncomfortable.
One player, speaking anonymously, said: “Nobody really knew what to expect. I thought he’d just shake some hands and leave. But he went on a whole speech about movie stars and corrupt politicians. It was weird.”
A few veteran players reportedly walked out midway through the remarks. Others stayed but declined to clap. Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman remained stone-faced throughout the political segments of Trump’s visit.
The Dodgers organization issued a short statement hours later:
“We are proud of the diverse and inclusive culture we’ve built here in Los Angeles. Today’s visit was informal and did not reflect an endorsement or political affiliation by the team.”
Social Media Frenzy: Praise, Outrage, and Satire
As clips from the visit made their way online, social media erupted in a frenzy of reactions. Conservatives hailed Trump’s charm and praised his admiration for Ohtani, while critics slammed the politicization of a sports visit and accused Trump of trying to co-opt the Dodgers brand.
One viral tweet read:
“Trump just called Shohei Ohtani a movie star and said Senators are jealous of his cheekbones. What timeline are we living in?”
Others drew attention to Trump’s history of racialized comments about Asian athletes, questioning the authenticity of his admiration.
“Let’s not forget he once mocked Korean names during a rally,” one user wrote. “This praise of Ohtani feels like a transparent ploy.”
Ohtani’s Camp Keeps Distance
Privately, sources close to Shohei Ohtani said the two-way phenom had not been briefed on the political nature of the visit. His agent, Nez Balelo, issued a terse response when asked for comment:
“Shohei remains focused on his performance with the Dodgers and does not engage in political discussions.”
Ohtani, who has long maintained a reputation for professionalism and quiet focus, is unlikely to comment further on the incident.
Trump’s Strategic Play: Aligning with Sports Icons
This isn’t the first time Donald Trump has used sports figures and franchises to elevate his image. During his presidency, he frequently invited championship teams to the White House—though several declined, including the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, as he ramps up his 2024 campaign, Trump appears to be courting athletes and their fans more deliberately. In recent weeks, he has met with UFC President Dana White, praised Caitlin Clark’s NCAA dominance, and made overtures to NFL players known for their conservative leanings.
By aligning himself with a global figure like Ohtani, Trump may be attempting to soften his image while expanding appeal among younger voters and Asian Americans—a demographic where Republicans have historically struggled.
Political analyst Rachel Ramirez of UCLA’s Luskin School noted, “Trump is very calculated when it comes to optics. Praising Ohtani—an athlete beloved across party lines—lets him appear less combative, even as he attacks the Senate in the next breath.”
Dodgers Caught in the Crossfire
For the Dodgers, the visit posed a difficult balancing act between respect for a former president and the politics of their diverse fan base. With stars from around the world—including Japan, the Dominican Republic, Canada, and the U.S.—the team has cultivated a brand built on global reach and inclusivity.
The team’s ownership group, which includes high-profile names like Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King, has largely stayed apolitical, but sources say they were blindsided by the extent of Trump’s remarks.
“This was not what we signed up for,” said one executive. “We thought it was going to be five minutes of small talk and selfies. Instead, it turned into a campaign rally.”
What Comes Next?
While no official rebuke is expected from MLB or the Dodgers organization, the visit has once again thrust the uneasy intersection of sports and politics into the national spotlight.
Trump, for his part, seems pleased with the outcome.
“That was fun,” he told reporters afterward. “Ohtani’s a legend. I might ask him to run for VP. Though I don’t think he’s eligible—but maybe we’ll change the rules.”
It was classic Trump: part showman, part disruptor, and always the center of attention. And in one 30-minute appearance at Dodger Stadium, he reminded America—and Shohei Ohtani—that in Trump’s world, everything is a stage, and everyone is part of the show.
