Trump Threatens Commanders Stadium Deal Over Redskins Name/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is threatening to block a new stadium deal for the Washington Commanders unless the team reverts to its former name, the Redskins. Trump also called on the Cleveland Guardians to return to the “Indians” moniker. Both franchises have rejected the demand, standing by their post-2020 rebranding decisions.
Stadium Naming Clash: Quick Looks
- Trump says Washington Commanders must return to ‘Redskins’ name
- Stadium deal in D.C. could be delayed by federal opposition
- Trump also urges Cleveland Guardians to become the “Indians” again
- Both teams maintain they will not reverse their name changes
- Trump claims team names changes hurt political reputations
- White House and Congress share influence over D.C. development
- Josh Harris, current Commanders owner, says name is permanent
- Cleveland execs affirm commitment to the “Guardians” brand
Trump Threatens Commanders Stadium Deal Over Redskins Name
Deep Look
CLEVELAND (AP) — President Donald Trump has reignited controversy over team names rooted in Native American imagery by threatening to stall a stadium agreement for the NFL’s Washington Commanders unless they revert to their former name, the Redskins. Trump, who made the comments Sunday on his social media platform, also called for MLB’s Cleveland Guardians to return to the name “Indians,” citing what he called a “clamoring” among fans.
In his post, Trump labeled the “Commanders” name as “ridiculous” and suggested that the team’s value would significantly increase if it returned to the “Redskins.”
“I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’ I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington,” he wrote.
Pushback from Teams and D.C. Officials
Trump’s statement arrives months after the Commanders and the District of Columbia government announced a deal to construct a new stadium on the site of the old RFK Stadium, the franchise’s home for over three decades. The new plan aims to revive NFL football in the District after years in Landover, Maryland.
However, Trump’s influence over the deal is uncertain. Though D.C. gained control of the RFK site earlier this year via a land transfer signed by President Joe Biden, Congress still controls the city’s budget and holds influence over federal lands. Trump’s threat could signal political resistance, particularly if Republicans gain more control ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Commanders owner Josh Harris, who led the group that bought the team from Dan Snyder in 2023, had already shut down rumors of a name reversion.
“We are the Washington Commanders,” Harris said earlier this year. “That name is here to stay.”
The team has not commented directly on Trump’s latest remarks.
Cleveland Guardians Also Targeted
Trump’s criticism extended to MLB, where he called for the Cleveland Guardians to bring back their former name, the “Indians.” The team transitioned to the Guardians in 2022 after first phasing out the “Chief Wahoo” logo in 2018 and formally announcing the name change in July 2021.
Before Sunday’s game, Chris Antonetti, the Guardians’ president of baseball operations, stated that the team remains committed to the new brand.
“We understand there are different perspectives… but obviously it’s a decision we made,” Antonetti said. “We’re excited about the future that’s in front of us.”
Trump, however, criticized the Dolan family—particularly Matt Dolan, who once held a leadership role with the team’s charitable arm and later ran for Senate in Ohio.
“The Owner of the Cleveland Baseball Team, Matt Dolan… has lost three Elections in a row because of that ridiculous name change,” Trump posted. “MAKE INDIANS GREAT AGAIN (MIGA)!”
Notably, Matt Dolan no longer has any operational role with the Guardians.
Name Changes and Political Symbolism
The broader context of the controversy traces back to 2020, amid national protests and widespread corporate reckonings with racial injustice. Both Washington and Cleveland announced they would abandon names considered derogatory toward Indigenous peoples.
The Redskins name had long faced criticism from Native American groups, leading to mounting corporate and public pressure that ultimately prompted the franchise to rebrand as the Commanders in 2022. Cleveland followed suit by adopting a new identity rooted in local heritage, referencing the city’s iconic Guardians of Traffic statues.
While both teams faced mixed reactions, they have maintained their new identities, focusing on community outreach, brand development, and modernizing their public image.
D.C. Stadium Deal Still Complex
While Trump’s threat could inject new hurdles into D.C.’s stadium ambitions, the legal and logistical framework for the project remains complex. The land at the RFK site was officially transferred to D.C. as part of a January 2025 spending bill, signed by Biden. However, Congress still maintains oversight of the city’s finances and could, in theory, delay federal funding or regulatory approval.
The stadium project has garnered widespread local support as a potential economic boon for the area, though its future now may hinge on political dynamics in the nation’s capital.
Connected Ownership and Shared Stakeholders
Interestingly, Washington and Cleveland share a key ownership link: David Blitzer, part of Harris’ group with the Commanders, also holds a minority stake in the Guardians. Blitzer has not publicly commented on the issue, but his presence in both organizations adds a layer of business complexity to Trump’s calls for reversal.
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