President Donald Trump was held on the podium on the lawn of the White House on Monday afternoon with a team of Ohio Buckeyes Buckeyes football players behind him to celebrate their victory for the national championship during the 2024 season.
The 47th president began his remarks by remembering how special January 20 was for everyone on stage – the Buckeyes beat the Irish Hours of Notre Dame after Trump finished his inauguration in the capital of our country.
“It turns out that January 20 was a great day for all of us. It’s true. It was a great day. I love this day. I will never forget this day,” said Trump.
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US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance welcome the 2025 national university football champions from Ohio State University at the White House during a ceremony on the South lawn on April 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Ohio State won the national championship by beating Notre Dame in the national championship match by a score of 34-23. (Kayla Bartkowski / Getty Images)
Trump has recognized all those present, including the former Buckeyes head coach and the current lieutenant of Ohio Jim Tresl as well as other Ohio delegates.
Before calling specific praise for the head coach Ryan Day and several of his players, Trump made sure to mention the story that comes with the national championship trophy, which was seated on a table next to a helmet and a buckey jersey while he was speech.
“It was a historic year in university football,” said Trump. “Standing together today, these men are the first university football players in history who can proudly name champions in the 12 -team playoffs. It’s not easy. You are the first.”
It was certainly not easy for Buckeyes, especially after suffering difficult losses during the regular season, which Trump spoke. They fell into Oregon, a team of university football playoffs, and Michigan, a team they had to beat on their lawn at home, but could not advance their attack.
“I shouldn’t say that. I said,” Should I leave this line aside? “And they said,” Sir, they want to hear everything, “said Trump. “The bad and good, right? But many people have counted you after the defeats against Oregon, which is a big team, and this team in the North – we will not talk about it. But you have refused to drop Buckeyes Nation.
Ohio Mike Dewine Governor (Center R) joins US President Donald Trump while welcoming the Ohio State University University Champions at the White House Ohio State at a ceremony on the Southern lawn on April 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Ohio State won the national championship by beating Notre Dame in the national championship match by a score of 34-23. (Kayla Bartkowski / Getty Images)
“After a very strong regular season, but with adversity, you organized a closed -door meeting and reserved for players. This extraordinary group joined together for a single glorious vision: winning four consecutive qualifying matches against the best university football teams. You were able to do it, of course.”
Trump then praised the work of the quarter-Arrière Will Howard, his offensive line, the Quinshon Judkins and Treveyon Henderson runners, the Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith receptors, and more throughout his speech. He made sure to shake the hand of everyone along the way as he explained his achievements.
Vice-president JD Vance, a former Ohio State, said that he was “so proud” to be with his Buckeyes on the lawn of the White House to celebrate a championship, that he is still waiting for Senator Ted Cruz to pay.
Vance said that he and Cruz, a Texas Longhorns supporter, made a bet on their teams faced to win a place in the national title.
US President Donald Trump is with the head coach of Ohio State Ryan Day (R) while welcoming the 2025 national university football champions from Ohio State University to the White House during a ceremony on the South lawn on April 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Ohio State won the national championship by beating Notre Dame in the national championship match by a score of 34-23. (Win McNamee / Getty images)
And although it is Buckeyes on Monday, Trump made sure to remind everyone about the lawn, and those who look at home, how much he loves Ohio, especially after winning the state “by a landslide” during the presidential election in November 2024.
“The big state of Ohio. I love this state,” he said. “We have won this state in a landslide! I love Ohio! We will never let you fall. I swear, I promise.”
To close the ceremony, Day has raised its team captains – Egbuka, Jack Sawyer and Cody Smith – to present Trump a personalized buckey jersey with his name and number 47 on the back.
