Donald Trump made a comical gaffe when Ohio State visited the White House to celebrate their national championship victory on Monday.

The Buckeyes, coming off a successful 2024 season, recently visited the nation’s capital. Three months post their College Football Playoff triumph, Ryan Day and his team made the trip.

Upon their arrival, they were greeted by former President Trump and vice president JD Vance, an alumnus of Ohio State. During the ceremony, Vance accidentally dropped the CFP trophy. Trump, in his speech, made a gaffe by singling out Will Howard for special mention.

Trump accidentally referred to the 23-year-old as ‘Tennessee quarterback Will Howard’ when discussing Ohio State’s win over the Volunteers.

Trump expressed, “I watched that game and said: ‘That guy is good!’ He’s going to be so rich, aye, aye, aye… think of that. To look like that and to play like that, that’s a good combination.”

Trump added: ‘We’ll be watching him for 15 years, maybe longer.’ 

Donald Trump referred to Will Howard as ‘Tennessee quarterback’ when Ohio State visited the White House on Monday

The Buckeyes became the latest team to visit the nation’s capital after a glorious 2024 season 

Trump and JD Vance welcomed Ohio State to DC after their national championship win

Ohio State’s players head down the steps to the ceremony at the White House on Monday

The Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 34-23 in the national championship game, which took place in January at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers visited the White House earlier this month, following their World Series victory, while the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs are both due in Washington, too.

The Eagles will celebrate their Super Bowl LIX win over the Chiefs by heading to the White House on April 28.

Kansas City’s players, meanwhile, were recently invited by Trump to make up for their 2020 visit which was curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

On Ohio State, Trump said: ‘This team showed the world that the road to greatness is paved by hard work, sweat and often a great deal of adversity.’

He added: ‘I shouldn’t say this… (but) many people counted you out after the losses against Oregon and that team up north – we won’t talk about it (Michigan). But you refused to let the Buckeye nation down.’

On Monday, Day’s players jetted into DC and headed to the iconic National Mall before making the short trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The Buckeyes were armed with new jewelry to show president Trump. 

Players and coaches from the 2024 championship team received a ring for making the College Football Playoff, one from the CFP for winning it and a championship ring from Ohio State.

The top of the national championship ring opens and shows the scores of Ohio State’s four CFP games, with the 34-23 victory over Notre Dame at the top. 

Enclosed inside the ring are pieces of the confetti that dropped at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after Ohio State won the game. The confetti is floating over a replica of the field.

The president shakes hands with Ohio State head coach Ryan Day during the ceremony

The Buckeyes brought the trophy and a helmet, as well as a personalized jersey for Trump

They landed in DC and visited the National Mall before heading to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue 

Players and coaches received a ring for making the CFP, one from the CFP for winning it and a championship ring from Ohio State

All three rings also have Day’s mantra from the season: ‘Leave no doubt.’ On the inside of the rings is a cross, signifying the team’s message and relying on its faith during the season.

Ohio State’s seniors – many of whom are preparing for the NFL draft in less than two weeks – showed off their rings during a ceremony at the 50-yard line.

‘They’re champions. So it puts a smile on your face when you see it,’ Day said. ‘It’s a surreal moment. I love this place,’ added defensive lineman Jack Sawyer, one of the team captains.

‘It makes it feel real. Been a long time coming for these rings but a combination of a lot of hard work, sacrifice and love when I see them,’ quarterback Will Howard said.