Trump Calls For Washington Commanders to ‘Immediately’ Change Name Back To Redskins

Topline President Donald Trump called for the Washington Commanders to “immediately” change their name back to the Washington Redskins, the controversial moniker criticized for years as a racial slur that the team abandoned in 2020. The president also criticized the Cleveland Guardians for retiring their “Indians” nickname. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Key Facts

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed there was a “big clamoring” for the Commanders to return to their original name, and instructed the team’s owners to “GET IT DONE!!!” Trump also mentioned the Cleveland Guardians, who changed their name and mascot from the Cleveland Indians, insisting, without further elaborating, that “our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen.” Trump has criticized the name change to reporters multiple times in the past, but ramped up the call for change Sunday, claiming “times are different now than they were three or four years ago.” The president has made backing Native American mascots one of his pet causes, previously launching a Title VI investigation into New York’s attempt to retire Massapequa High School’s “Chiefs” mascot and nickname, even sending Education Secretary Linda McMahon to speak in May at the high school in support of the name. The Redskins moniker was dropped after the 2019 season, with the team officially going by the name “Washington Football Team” for the 2020 and 2021 seasons before the Commanders name was adopted for 2022.

Key Background

Trump has a long history with professional sports, first owning the New Jersey Generals, a team in the short-lived United States Football League that challenged the National Football League in the 1980s. He also famously tried to purchase the Buffalo Bills in 2014, only to be outbid. During his career in politics, Trump has repeatedly weighed in on culture war issues surrounding the NFL. During his first term in office, Trump constantly criticized NFL players for taking a knee during the national anthem in protest.

What Has Trump Said About The Commanders Before?

In the past, Trump has criticized the name changes but stopped short before calling for them to reverse the decision. After the Cleveland Guardians announced they would retire their “Indians” nickname, Trump in a 2020 tweet said it was “not good news, even for ‘Indians’” and blamed “cancel culture.” When asked about the Commanders’ name change multiple times this year, Trump said he would not have changed the name in the first place. “I wouldn’t have changed the name,” Trump said while speaking to reporters earlier this month. “It just doesn’t have the same ring to me.” Later speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump again defended the old name. “It’s a great population, and they like when they’re called by various names. Now Washington, the Redskins, that possibly a little different, a little bit different, but I can tell you I spoke to people of Indian heritage and they love that name and they love that team,” Trump said. The president also heaped praise on the Kansas City Chiefs and their quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who have also been criticized for their Native American imagery. “They’re not changing their name. A great team, great people,” Trump said. “I like that team, they’re called the Chiefs, and frankly I see nothing wrong with them.” The Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX earlier this year, where Trump became the first sitting president to attend the big game.

Forbes Valuation

Forbes estimates the Washington Commanders are worth $6.3 billion, making them the 10th-most valuable team in the NFL.

Tangent

A deal for the redevelopment of the RFK Stadium site in Washington, D.C., to become the Commanders’ new stadium is under consideration by the D.C. City Council. If the $3.7 billion deal is greenlit, it would pave the way for NFL football to return to Washington proper for the first time since 1996.

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