Trump Urges Redskins Name Change Amid Stadium Talks
After a social media post calling for the Washington Commanders to revert to their former name, the Redskins, discussions have arisen about potential restrictions on the team’s ability to secure a new stadium in DC if they don’t change back.
Trump remarked on social media, “My statement regarding the Washington Redskins has received a lot of positive attention.” He suggested he might impose limits, saying, “They can’t keep the name ‘Washington Commander’ without going back to ‘Washington Redskins.’ A name change would enhance the team’s value and excitement around building a stadium in Washington.” He also noted that if the team were to revert like the Cleveland Indians did, it might be beneficial for them.
Earlier, Trump expressed a wish to watch “Washington, Washington, Anything,” in relation to the team once known as the Cleveland Indians.
He tweeted, “Washington ‘Anything’ should soon become the Redskins football team.” He highlighted the history of the Cleveland Indians, calling them one of six original baseball teams, and mentioned how, in his view, their legacy has been undermined.
Under previous owner Daniel Snyder, the team dropped its 80-year-old name following the events surrounding George Floyd’s death in 2020. Notably, Fred Smith, the late founder of FedEx and a minority owner, had advocated for a name change. He notably held the naming rights for FedEx Field where the team played.
For two years, the team was known simply as the Washington Football Team before rebranding as the Commanders in 2022.
Commander owner Josh Harris acknowledges the team’s history, particularly in uniforms, yet remains resistant to the idea of reinstating the Redskins name. “The Commanders name brings a unique element to our presence,” he told Fox News in April. “We have a military city here, and we’re excited to advance with the Commanders name without looking back.”
