President Donald Trump has shared his thoughts on the ongoing debate surrounding the Washington Commanders’ name change but stopped short of fully endorsing the idea of reverting to the original “Redskins” moniker—an issue that has long been contentious, especially among Native American groups.
While Trump didn’t explicitly call for the return of the Redskins name, he did voice his support for the Kansas City Chiefs and mock the Cleveland Indians’ recent rebranding to the Guardians. Trump was asked whether he’d tie the Commanders’ stadium deal in Washington, D.C., to a potential name reversal.
“Now Washington, the Redskins, perhaps that’s a little different, a little different,” Trump remarked. “I think it’s a superior name to what they have right now,” he added, suggesting that the former name might have a stronger appeal than the current one.
He further expressed his belief that the country should “bring common sense back,” a phrase that resonated with some of his supporters who have long been nostalgic for the Redskins name.
The “Redskins” moniker has been the subject of ongoing controversy for decades. The movement to phase out the use of Native American imagery in sports began in the 1960s, with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) consistently condemning the term as a racial slur. Various tribes and indigenous groups have actively campaigned for the name’s removal, putting pressure on former team owner Dan Snyder to make the change.
By the mid-2010s, public opinion was shifting. A growing number of studies showed increasing opposition among American Indians to the name. Additionally, the practice of fans wearing Native American-inspired costumes, such as headdresses and “war paint,” became a flashpoint for criticism.
In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent racial justice protests, the pressure on sports teams and their sponsors intensified. The Washington Football Team, as they were known temporarily, eventually made the decision to retire the “Redskins” name. For two seasons, the team played under this temporary moniker before officially rebranding as the Commanders in 2022.
Since then, with new owner Josh Harris taking over from Snyder, a portion of the fanbase has pushed for the return of the “Redskins” name. The Native American Guardians Association, an organization that opposes the removal of Native American mascots, has also launched a petition calling for the old name to be reinstated.
Following Trump’s re-election, many fans of the old Redskins hoped that the former president might leverage his influence to reverse the decision. However, as both the NFL and the Commanders are private entities, Trump has no authority to force a name change.
In addition to the naming issue, the Commanders are currently exploring a potential move from their current home in Landover, Maryland, back to Washington D.C. at the site of the former RFK Stadium. This relocation could pose a significant roadblock to any attempt to bring back the old team identity.
The Commanders franchise, originally founded as the Boston Braves in 1932, was owned by George Preston Marshall, a figure whose legacy is marred by accusations of racism. Marshall’s promotion of a “gentleman’s agreement” within the NFL to keep African American players out lasted until 1946, making the Washington team the last NFL squad to integrate.
The team was eventually forced to integrate by government officials, including Attorney General Robert Kennedy and Interior Secretary Stewart Udall. They threatened to revoke the team’s lease on the then-DC Stadium (now RFK Stadium) unless the franchise signed a Black player. In 1962, Marshall selected Ernie Davis, the first Black player to win the Heisman Trophy, in the NFL draft. However, when Davis refused to play for Marshall’s team, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns, and Bobby Mitchell became the first Black player to suit up for the Washington franchise.
