Trump Criticizes Modern MLB During White House Event

Former president says 'they do things wrong' as he reminisces about Yankees owner Steinbrenner

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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During a White House event honoring the 2025 MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF, former President Donald Trump took the opportunity to criticize the current state of Major League Baseball. Trump fondly recalled watching Yankees games with the late owner George Steinbrenner, but said 'it's not as hot now' and that MLB 'do things wrong'.

Why it matters

Trump's comments highlight ongoing debates about the state of Major League Baseball, including concerns over the growing payroll disparity between big-market and small-market teams, as well as the potential for labor tensions as the league's collective bargaining agreement is set to expire at the end of the year.

The details

Trump was hosting the Inter Miami CF team at the White House when he brought up his friendship with former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. He recalled sitting in Steinbrenner's box and watching Yankees games, saying Steinbrenner 'liked me' and 'liked almost nobody.' Trump then took a shot at modern MLB, saying 'it would be a World Series when baseball was hot - it's not as hot now' and that the league 'do things wrong' without elaborating further. The lack of explanation leaves room for speculation, with issues like the payroll gap between big-market and small-market teams potentially being a source of Trump's criticism.

  • Trump made the comments during a White House event on March 5, 2026 honoring the 2025 MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who was hosting the White House event.

George Steinbrenner

The late owner of the New York Yankees, who Trump said he would watch games with in Steinbrenner's box.

Alex Rodriguez

The former MLB player who was in attendance at the White House event.

Rob Manfred

The current MLB Commissioner who visited the White House in April 2025 to discuss issues pertaining to baseball.

Pete Rose

MLB's all-time hits leader who was posthumously removed from the league's permanently ineligible list in May 2025, allowing him to be considered for the Hall of Fame.

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What they’re saying

“I love sports and I watched my friend A-Rod with George Steinbrenner – we'd sit in his box just the two of us. He would never have anybody but me. He liked me, right? He liked me, he liked you. He liked almost nobody.”

— Donald Trump, Former President (nypost.com)

“It would be a World Series when baseball was hot – it's not as hot now, I'll be honest with you. They do things wrong.”

— Donald Trump, Former President (nypost.com)

What’s next

MLB will kick off its 2026 season after the upcoming World Baseball Classic tournament, where Team USA will field one of its best rosters ever.

The takeaway

Trump's criticism of modern MLB highlights ongoing debates about the growing payroll disparity between big-market and small-market teams, as well as the potential for labor tensions as the league's collective bargaining agreement nears expiration.