In 2019, Mookie Betts, then with the Boston Red Sox, declined an invitation to visit President Trump at the White House, alongside eight teammates and manager Alex Cora. This refusal, influenced by Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric, represented a larger trend of athletes objecting to the president's leadership. Other notable players, such as Adrian Gonzalez, also took public stances against Trump. The article reflects on the historical tradition of athletes visiting the White House, emphasizing how political contexts have made these visits controversial, particularly during Trump's presidency.
... the Red Sox who stayed away were Black or Latino, and several foreign-born players noted that Trump's immigrant-bashing shaped their decisions.
When President Biden hosted the 2021 championship team, Betts and the Dodgers showed up in force, emphasizing their political stances along with their sports achievements.
During Trump's first presidency, the tradition of sports champions visiting the White House turned particularly controversial, highlighting a divide between athletes and the president.
Adrian Gonzalez, a Mexican American player, refused to stay at a Trump-owned hotel, indicating that his choice was deeply influenced by the president's anti-immigrant rhetoric.
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