On Sunday, President Donald Trump called for the Washington Commanders to change their name back to the “Redskins.” The timing of Trump’s demand comes as the D.C. Council failed to hit their deadline in a bid to keep the team in the city and at the RFK site.
The state of Maryland and the Virginia commonwealth are set to bid on sites to draw the Commanders to their respective territories. Trump previously said he’d step in and use his federal authority to keep the team in D.C., though there had been speculation that he’d require something like a name change in exchange for help.
Trump demanded the league’s owners step in and allow the team to go back to the name it held from 1933 to 2019.
“The Washington “Whatever’s” should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team,” Trump posted on his special media platform, Truth Social. “There is a big clamoring for this. Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a storied past.
“Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!”
Donald Trump wants the Washington Commanders’ name to change
Per Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team, the White House has been working with the team on the project at the RFK site.
“While some will roll their eyes, Trump’s post comes at a noteworthy time, as Washington is actively pursuing plans for a new stadium and has been working with the White House on the project,” Meirov posted on X.
While some will roll their eyes, Trump’s post comes at a noteworthy time, as Washington is actively pursuing plans for a new stadium and has been working with the White House on the project. https://t.co/T0IUWej7wg
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 20, 2025
Trump wants the name to be the Washington Redskins
On July 6, Trump said the team should not have changed the name in 2019.
“Well, you want me to make a controversial statement? I would,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t have changed the name. 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.”
Now, the President seems ready to embarrass NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the owners who didn’t allow him to purchase a league franchise. Goodell basically forced then-Washington owner Dan Snyder to change the name out of embarrassment.
Trump is turning the tables on Goodell.
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