President Donald Trump On Monday afternoon, Ohio State Buckeye footballers standing behind him on a podium on the White House lawn celebrated their national championship victory in the 2024 season.
The 47th President began his speech, remembering the special thing about everyone on stage on January 20 – Buckeye Trump defeated Notre Dame after completing his inauguration in our nation’s capital.
“It turns out that January 20 is a big day for all of us. It’s true. It’s a big day. I love that day. I will never forget that day.”
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U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance welcomed Ohio State’s 2025 college football champions to the White House at a ceremony on the South Lawn in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 2025. Ohio State won the national championship by defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the national championship game. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
Trump recognizes everyone attending the meeting, including former Buckeyes’ head coach and current governor Ohio Jim Tressel and other Ohio representatives.
Before calling on head coach Ryan Day and several of his players to specific compliments, Trump made sure to mention the history brought by the National Championship trophy, which sat on the table next to the Buckeyes helmet and jersey.
“This is the historical year of college football,” Trump said. “Stand together today, these guys are the first college football player in history to proudly call themselves a playoff champion for 12 teams. It’s not easy. You’re the first.”
It certainly wasn’t easy for the Buckeyes, especially after some tough losses in the regular season, Trump brought it. They fell in Oregon and Michigan in the College Football Playoffs, and they were expected to beat their home court but could not beat their offense.
“I shouldn’t say that. I actually said, ‘Do I leave this line out?’ They said, “Sir, they want to hear the whole thing,” Trump said. “Bad and good, right?”
Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine (Center R) joins U.S. President Donald Trump, who welcomes Ohio State’s 2025 college football champion to the White House during a ceremony on the South Lawn in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 2025. Ohio State won the national championship by defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the national championship game. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
“After a very strong regular season, but in adversity, you have a closed, player-only meeting. Together, this extraordinary team gathered a glorious vision: win four consecutive playoff games with the best team in college football. Obviously, you can do it.”
Trump continues to praise quarterback Will Howard, his offensive lineup, defenders Quinshon Judkins and Treveyon Henderson, receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, among others. He made sure to shake hands all the way as he explained his achievements.
Ohio State alumni Vice President JD Vance said he was still waiting for Senator Ted Cruz to pay for the championship with his Buckeyes on the White House lawn.
Vance said he and Texas Longhorn supporter Cruz won a spot in the national championship game face-to-face with their team.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes the Ohio State University football national champion to the White House’s 2025 College Football National Championship at the South Lawn ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 2025. Ohio State won the national championship by defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the national championship game. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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While Monday was all about Buckeyes, Trump made sure to remind everyone on the lawn, and those who were watching Ohio at home, especially after winning a “landslide” during the November 2024 presidential election.
“The big country of Ohio. I like that state,” he said. “We won this state on the slopes! I love Ohio! We will never let you down. I swear, I promise.”
To end the ceremony, Day presented his team captains – Egbuka, Jack Sawyer and Cody Smith – to present a custom Buckeye jersey, his name and the No. 47 player behind.
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