On April 14, 2025, President Donald Trump welcomed the Ohio State University National Championship Football Team to the White House, celebrating their recent victory in college football. However, the event took an unexpected turn when Vice President JD Vance accidentally dropped the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy, leading to a moment of both tension and humor.
As the Marine band played "We are the Champions," Vance attempted to lift the trophy, which appeared to break in two, dropping the top half to the ground. Fortunately, TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State's All-Big Ten running back, was on hand to help prevent what could have been a disastrous fall for the trophy. Henderson managed to keep his grip on the body of the trophy, averting potential damage.
Vance, who is an Ohio State graduate and a staunch supporter of the team, later took to social media to poke fun at the incident. He posted on X, saying, "I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it." This light-hearted comment reflected the spirit of the event, even as it drew attention to the mishap.
During the ceremony, Trump, who was also presented with a Buckeyes jersey featuring his name, expressed his admiration for Vance, calling him the "biggest" Ohio State fan in his administration. The atmosphere was celebratory, despite the hiccup with the trophy, as the team basked in the glory of their championship win.
The trophy incident was not as catastrophic as it first appeared. In fact, the trophy is designed to separate into two pieces, with the body and base intended to come apart during celebrations. Players and coaches often lift the body of the trophy separately from the base, making it a common practice in such events. Vance, however, seemed unaware of this design feature when he attempted to lift it, leading to the amusing scene that unfolded.
As Vance scrambled to retrieve the base of the trophy from the floor, onlookers, including the Ohio State players, reacted with a mix of surprise and laughter. Several players were seen smirking in the background, and the social media response was swift, with many users mocking Vance for his mishap. One user commented that the incident was "a perfect metaphor for the Trump administration," while another joked about Vance's ability to lift the trophy.
This was not the first time a championship team visited the White House during Trump's presidency. Ohio State was the second championship team to make an appearance in just two weeks, following the Los Angeles Dodgers' visit on April 7, 2025. The Philadelphia Eagles have also announced their intention to visit the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl championship.
The ceremony marked a return to tradition, as several championship visits were canceled during Trump's first term due to athletes' refusals to attend or rescinded invitations. This time, however, the atmosphere was filled with camaraderie, as Trump and the Ohio State team celebrated their achievements together.
Despite the light-hearted nature of the trophy incident, it also served as a reminder of the ongoing scrutiny faced by Vance. Following the mishap, many users took to social media to share memes and jokes about the vice president. Some referenced a previous incident where Vance had a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, asking him, "Have you said thank you once?" This incident had already made Vance a target for online mockery, and the trophy mishap only added fuel to the fire.
In the aftermath of the event, Vance's response to the online teasing showed he was willing to embrace the humor of the situation. He joined in on the jokes, which many found refreshing, considering the often serious nature of political discourse.
As the event concluded, the Ohio State team left the White House with their championship trophy, albeit with a new story to tell about their visit. They celebrated their victory and the opportunity to meet with the president and vice president, even if the day was marked by an unexpected trophy drop.
The visit was a significant moment for the Ohio State football program, highlighting their successful season and the pride of their fans. It also illustrated the lighter side of politics, where even a vice president can find himself in a humorous predicament in front of the nation.
As for the trophy itself, it remained largely unscathed, a testament to the design that allows for such moments of celebration without permanent damage. The incident will likely be remembered as a quirky footnote in the history of college football championship celebrations.
In a world where sports and politics often collide, the Ohio State team's visit to the White House served as a reminder of the joy and unity that can come from celebrating achievements, even amidst the occasional fumble.
