Donald Trump is calling for the Washington Commanders NFL team to change its name back to the Washington Redskins right away, warning that he might try to stop a new stadium deal if they refuse. He also said the Cleveland Guardians baseball team should go back to its old name, the Indians.
In several posts on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump claimed there is “a big clammering” for the Washington team to use its “original name” again. He also said, “Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen,” talking about the Cleveland team, and finished by telling both teams’ owners to “get it done.”
This is not the first time Trump has spoken about this issue, according to TMZ. Earlier this year, he shared his thoughts on the Commanders’ name, saying it was insulting to the Indian population. This is despite the team changing the name because of the outcry that came from having the name in the first place.
Trump is now issuing threats to get his way in the NFL
The Washington team changed its name to the Commanders in 2022 after years of pressure from Native American groups and civil rights activists who called “Redskins” a racist term. The team played as the Washington Football Team for two seasons after dropping the Redskins name in 2020. Likewise, the Cleveland baseball team switched from the Indians to the Guardians in 2021 after facing criticism over its old name and Chief Wahoo logo.
Trump: I wouldn't have changed your name, but that's there. It just doesn't have the same. It doesn't have the same ring to me. But you know, winning can make everything sound good. So if they win, all of a sudden the commanders sounds good, but I wouldn't have changed the name. pic.twitter.com/cjvYPOGYkF
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 6, 2025
The Commanders’ ownership has not yet responded to Trump’s latest demands. However, team owner Josh Harris has said before that they would “respect the past” but keep the Commanders’ name. Cleveland Guardians president Chris Antonetti has also said they are not planning to change their name again.
The Washington Commanders are currently working on a deal for a new stadium, with an agreement made earlier this year between the team and Washington D.C. leaders for a possible location at the old RFK Stadium site. Trump’s new warning suggests he could use this deal to force the team to change its name.
