GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
President Donald Trump had an idea after visiting with the dual national champions of college baseball of 2025 during a ceremony that honored LSU’s and LSU-Shreveport’s title teams on Monday in the White House’s East Wing Ballroom.
“I want these two teams to play,” Trump said after discussing each team’s accomplishments for several minutes and shaking hands with several players and LSU coach Jay Johnson and LSU-S coach Brad Neffendorf, whom he first referred to as Brett.
So what if there is a government shutdown, LSU’s national championship baseball team is at the White House today.https://t.co/aoMEZwcytc
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) October 20, 2025
“You want to do it? I’ll do it,” Trump said. “We’ll get the stadium. I’ll pay for it. What the hell?”
Interestingly, former President George W. Bush said he wanted the LSU and USC football teams to play in the Rose Garden during their dual national championship celebration at the White House after the 2003 season. The Tigers won the Bowl Championship Series national title that season at 13-1 under coach Nick Saban, while USC won the Associated Press national title at 12-1 under coach Pete Carroll.
“You have to say he did a good job,” Trump said to Johnson of Neffendorf’s 59-0, NAIA national championship season.
“Pretty darn good,” Johnson said.
NO WAY pic.twitter.com/gx6i8os8jN
— Adam 🐯🇺🇸 (@geauxtigers2025) October 20, 2025
LSU’s baseball players (above on twitter) imitated a classic video that LSU football players did on their visit to the White House in 2020 after winning the national championship in the 2019 season.
Trump kidded Johnson a bit for his mere 53-15 final record in winning the NCAA baseball championship – Johnson’s second over the last three seasons at LSU.
“In fact, I think your record should’ve been better,” Trump cracked after listing many of LSU’s nine selections in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft that followed the Tigers winning their eighth title overall in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 22.
“Great group of people,” Trump said as he opened the ceremony. “This place is crowded. You got a lot of fans. Both of these teams brought incredible pride, grit and glory to their schools and state, and they’re bringing that same Louisiana spirit to a place called the White House.”
The Louisiana delegation on hand included House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican-Benton), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Metairie), who are both LSU graduates, as well as Baton Rouge Representative and Republican Julia Letlow, U.S. Senator John N. Kennedy (R-Madisonville), Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Baton Rouge), Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry and state Representatives Mark Wright (R-Covington) and Mike Bayham (R-Chalmette).
“A lot of good political people in that state,” Trump said. “Louisiana has been known for politics. I’d say politics, baseball and football – a little bit of football, too, right?”
As Trump spoke of each team, players from both teams stood side by side behind the President.
“I’m thrilled to announce the 2025 NCAA College World Series champions – the Louisiana State University Tigers. That’s pretty good,” Trump said. “And we have the 2025 NAIA national champions – the LSU-Shreveport Pilots. Not bad.”
LSU Baseball Dominance Part Deux Arrives!https://t.co/yzFBgE9eGo
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) June 22, 2025
As Trump’s federal government shutdown stretched into its third week and neared a record, he perhaps asked for assistance from the champions surrounding him.
“I think we should bring them into government,” he said. “They don’t need the baseball. We can bring them into government. We could definitely use them.”
When Trump introduced and shook hands with LSU ace pitcher Kade Anderson (12-1, 3.18 ERA in 2025), he listed some of his achievements, which included College World Series MVP, Baseball America National Pitcher of the Year, nation’s leader in strikeouts with 180 and the third selection of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft by Seattle. Anderson signed for $8.8 million.
DONALD TRUMP SAYS HE’S “LEAVING THE WHITE HOUSE?”
“I would like to represent him,” Trump, 79, joked. “I’m leaving the White House immediately. Boy, oh boy, would I like to be doing that, huh? One hundred and 80 strikeouts, that’s a lot. Got to have you at the White House. We like winners a the White House, Kade.”
Trump read detailed information about both teams that was all correct. He did frequently go off on tangents, however. He went into specifics on the construction of a new, much larger ballroom on the East Wing that began Monday.
“I don’t think it will be topped,” he said. “Just started on it today, so that’s good luck. We want the same luck and talent of these guys.”
Trump, a New York City native, also launched into a story about former MLB great Bobby Richardson, who played for the New York Yankees from 1955-66 during Trump’s youth and was an eight-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion.
“He’s from around your area,” Trump said, referencing Louisiana. But Richardson is from Sumter, South Carolina.
Trump gracefully introduced and shook hands with several players from both teams, and each coach took their turn at Trump’s podium.
“Mr. President, thank you, for having us in your home,” Johnson said. “I think the main thing I take from you is work ethic – something we preach. And no one works harder for America than you. Thank you for setting a good example. It’s an honor of a lifetime to be in the home of the greatest country in the world. We are the college baseball capital of the world in 2025.”
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