Former President Donald Trump has once again inserted himself into the world of sports, this time taking aim at Major League Baseball (MLB) over its continued exclusion of Pete Rose from the Hall of Fame. In a fiery social media post, Trump blasted the league, accusing it of being “fat and lazy” in refusing to reinstate Rose, who remains permanently banned for betting on baseball.
Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader, passed away earlier this year, reigniting debates about whether his lifetime ban should be lifted. Trump, a longtime supporter of the controversial slugger, vowed to take matters into his own hands, announcing plans for a “complete and total pardon” for Rose in the coming weeks.
“Pete Rose gave his life to baseball and was one of the greatest competitors the sport has ever seen,” Trump wrote. “MLB needs to get off its fat, lazy ass and do the right thing. If they won’t, I will. A FULL PARDON is coming very soon!”
The promise of a posthumous pardon raises legal and logistical questions, as Rose was never convicted of a federal crime. His 1989 ban from baseball came after an investigation found he bet on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. While MLB has stood firm on its stance against gambling, critics argue that attitudes have softened in recent years—especially with the league now embracing sports betting partnerships.
Despite his unparalleled career statistics, Rose remains ineligible for Hall of Fame consideration due to the ban. Supporters argue that the hypocrisy of MLB profiting from gambling while continuing to shun Rose is unjust, while opponents maintain that reinstating him would set a dangerous precedent.
Trump’s intervention is unlikely to sway the Baseball Hall of Fame, which operates independently of MLB. However, his comments are sure to stir further debate about Rose’s legacy—and whether the league should finally reconsider its stance on one of the game’s most controversial figures.
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