The Indiana Hoosiers went to the White House on Monday to celebrate their College Football National Championship victory. The team, who went undefeated in their victorious season, were invited to Washington by President Donald Trump.
However, one man was notable by his absence; team quarterback and 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza caused a stir earlier this month when he confirmed he had turned down Trump’s invitation, with some suggesting that the player had skipped the trip for political reasons.
President Trump Addresses Fernando Mendoza’s Absence From Indiana’s White House Celebration
The Hoosiers completed their fairytale season after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the National Championship game. Mendoza played a key role in the victory, running in a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Although the vast majority of the team were in attendance (alongside its cheerleading squad), Mendoza not making the trip remained a major taking point, with Trump taking to the microphone to address the situation.
“If he [Mendoza] was not here for other reasons, like he didn’t like Trump, or he didn’t want to come, I wouldn’t even mention him,” the President quipped at the event on the White House South Lawn. “I wouldn’t even mention the quarterback’s name.”
Trump went on to praise head coach Curt Cignetti for the team’s achievements, telling the 64-year-old:
“I believe you’re the biggest story. There is no story like this,” Trump insisted. “The Hoosiers delivered the program’s first ever undefeated, untied season and capped it off with their first ever national title.”
What Donald Trump Said to Fernando Mendoza About Missed White House Visit
Although Mendoza didn’t attend the White House alongside many of his former teammates, he did speak to Trump personally to let him know that he wouldn’t be coming.
The number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft had already revealed that he would miss the trip due to the start of Organised Team Activities (OTA) with his new franchise, the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I’ve got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice,” Mendoza told the media of his decision to turn down Trump’s invitation.
“I don’t have the calendar, but as a rookie I don’t think that’s a good look. And I want to, you know, try to best serve my teammates, and I don’t think that’d be achieving that goal.”
The Raiders’ first day of OTAs isn’t until the 18th of May, meaning Mendoza could likely have gone to the White House on Monday if he’d wanted to, but Trump apparently accepted his explanation without issue.
“The reason he didn’t [travel to the White House] is because he’s at spring training, right?” Trump told the crowd full of Hoosiers dressed in cream and crimson. The 79-year-old then revealed what he had told Fernando regarding his absence.
“He [Mendoza] has been great, and he’s at spring training. Like his first day or something.
“I said, ‘You better go there’,” insisted Trump as he gave his blessing.
“Indiana University’s championship season showed the whole country what Hoosier grit is all about,” he said, adding: “These student-athletes carried themselves with real class all season and made Indiana proud.”
Once the losingest program in Division I football history, Trump lauded the team’s 2025 run as a “legendary” story.
Although Mendoza’s absence dominated discussion, other stars of Indiana’s success also missed the trip. This included names such as Omari Cooper, D’Angelo Ponds, and J’Amari Sharpe. All were preparing for their new NFL careers, as was their Heisman-winning quarterback.
