Trump May Withhold Approval of New Stadium if Washington Team Doesn't Change Name Back to 'Redskins'

President Trump warned that he may block a new Washington Commanders stadium deal unless the team reverts to the “Redskins” name. He also called for the Cleveland Guardians to return to the “Indians” moniker, sparking renewed debate over sports name changes.

Key Facts:

Trump said the Commanders should return to the “Redskins” name or risk losing a new stadium deal in D.C.
He made similar remarks about the Cleveland Guardians, urging a return to “Indians.”
Trump posted his statements on Truth Social, saying fans and Native Americans support the change.
Commanders owner Josh Harris and city officials have been in talks over rebuilding at the RFK Stadium site.
Sen. Steve Daines and tribal leaders support bringing back the Redskins logo, not necessarily the name.

The Rest of The Story:

Trump took to Truth Social over the weekend, blasting the names “Commanders” and “Guardians” and demanding a return to their former identities. “There is a big clamoring for this,” he wrote.

Trump argued that the old names honored Native Americans and that fans overwhelmingly preferred them.

He warned that the Commanders could lose out on a stadium deal in Washington, D.C., unless they revert to the Redskins name.“I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington,” Trump stated.

Trump didn’t stop with football. He also called out Cleveland’s baseball team, writing, “MAKE INDIANS GREAT AGAIN (MIGA)!”

He incorrectly identified Matt Dolan as the team’s owner, though it is Paul Dolan who holds that title. Matt Dolan, a minority stakeholder, has lost three recent political races.

Chris Antonetti, president of the Guardians, responded calmly. “It’s a decision we’ve made,” he said. “We’ve gotten the opportunity to build the brand as the Guardians… and are excited about the future.” The team had no further comment.

Commanders owner Josh Harris acknowledged the stadium negotiations and confirmed there are no plans to revert the name. He told Fox News that the “Commanders” brand had caught on within the organization, especially given the city’s military presence.

I played in the NFL and was drafted by the Washington Redskins.

Not the “Washington Football Team” or the “Commanders.” @POTUS is right. It’s time to bring the Redskins’ name back. pic.twitter.com/Xa9mOKpxHJ

— Scott Turner (@SecretaryTurner) July 20, 2025

Commentary:

Trump’s frustration here is understandable. Many fans saw the renaming of the Redskins and Indians as part of a larger wave of corporate and cultural overreach.

For decades, these names were woven into community identity, regional pride, and even Native American heritage.

Still, is this really the hill to die on? While it’s fair to voice opposition to cancel culture and woke decision-making, tying a major development project like a new stadium to a team name change feels like a distraction from bigger issues.

We’re facing a flood of problems: inflation, border security, threats from China, collapsing trust in institutions, and federal overreach.

For many Americans, the football team’s name—while important—doesn’t even crack the top ten. Yes, restoring the Redskins name might energize a certain base and feel like a win against progressive overreach.

But stadium deals are complex. They involve city funding, taxpayer priorities, and regulatory hurdles. Adding cultural fights to the mix may stall practical progress.

Support for Native American representation and preserving their heritage is commendable. If the name change truly dishonored that, a strong case could be made to reverse it.

But the situation isn’t that clear-cut. Some tribes support the old name, others do not.

Sen. Daines’ push to bring back the Redskins logo, with tribal input and a revenue-sharing arrangement to benefit Native American communities, sounds like a thoughtful middle ground.

That’s a model worth exploring further—collaboration, not ultimatums. Josh Harris seems to understand the reality. His team and staff have bought into the Commanders brand, and the name has begun to take root.

While nostalgia is powerful, successful franchises build forward, not backward. In the end, Americans want wins—on the field and off.

Let’s hope our political and sports leaders can focus on delivering both, without getting bogged down in name wars.

The Bottom Line:

President Trump’s demand to bring back the Redskins and Indians names reignites a cultural debate that’s been simmering for years.

While the passion is real, stadium deals and political clout may not hinge on team logos alone.

Americans face serious challenges.

If name changes can be rolled back respectfully, that’s fine—but it shouldn’t overshadow the urgent work ahead.

Trump May Withhold Approval of New Stadium if Washington Team Doesn’t Change Name Back to ‘Redskins’

Key Facts:

The Rest of The Story:

Commentary:

The Bottom Line:

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