Donald Trump has intensified his push for the Washington Commanders to revert to their former name, the “Redskins,” threatening to limit the NFL team’s stadium deal if they do not comply. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’ I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington.”
The Commanders, who relocated from Washington, D.C., to Landover, Maryland, in 1997, have been in negotiations to return to the district at the site of the former Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. This proposal was announced in April by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the team, but it is currently stalled in the D.C. Council. Bowser recently urged council members to “make moves” on the deal, highlighting that “the Commanders are anxious” about the outcome.
Trump previously expressed support for the stadium deal, indicating his willingness to assist if the D.C. Council fails to approve it. He referred to the site as “a great piece of property,” noting that the federal government holds control over it. Following a congressional bill passed in late 2024 to transfer ownership of the RFK site to the district’s government, the future of the Commanders’ return remains uncertain.
In his recent comments, Trump initially referred to the team as the “Washington ‘Whatever’s’” and insisted that the name revert to the “Washington Redskins Football Team” immediately. Earlier this month, he acknowledged that calling for the name change was “a controversial statement,” remarking, “It doesn’t have the same ring to me.”
Trump’s campaign to revert team names is not limited to the Commanders. He has also called for the Cleveland Guardians to change their name back to the “Indians,” suggesting that “Indian people” desire this change. The Guardians, like the Commanders, altered their name following criticism from Native American groups regarding the use of derogatory terms.
The name changes reflect a broader cultural shift in recent years, as various organizations have reevaluated the use of racially insensitive names and logos. Trump argued that “times are different now” and that many “Indian people” feel their heritage is being undermined. He stated, “Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen.” He concluded with a provocative slogan, “MAKE INDIANS GREAT AGAIN (MIGA),” a twist on his well-known campaign phrase.
These developments come as the Commanders, who dropped the “Redskins” name in 2020 amid rising criticism, seek to solidify their identity once again. The decision to change the name was a response to decades of protests from Native American advocacy groups who deemed it an ethnic slur. Similarly, the Cleveland baseball team transitioned from the “Indians” to the “Guardians” in 2021, prompted by similar concerns.
Both teams now find themselves at the intersection of sport, culture, and political discourse as discussions about their identities continue. With Trump’s influence looming, the future of these names and their respective franchises hangs in the balance, illustrating the ongoing dialogue surrounding race and representation in America.
