Trump Calls for Washington Commanders to Revert to Redskins Name Amid Ongoing Controversy

President Donald Trump made a statement on Sunday advocating for the Washington Commanders, an NFL team that rebranded from the Redskins in 2020, to revert back to their earlier name. He asserted that a significant number of Native American individuals desire this change, accusing the current leadership of erasing their heritage and dignity. Trump expressed his thoughts on the social media platform Truth Social, emphasizing that societal attitudes have shifted and that this is the time to bring back the original name. He called on team ownership to act decisively.

Additionally, Trump escalated the situation by hinting at potentially sabotaging a new stadium deal for the Commanders in Washington, D.C. unless they restore the Redskins moniker. He noted the positive reception of his comments and suggested he might impose conditions on the stadium agreement if the name change does not occur. The Commanders are working towards a new stadium at the RFK Memorial site, pending the necessary approvals from the D.C. Council.

Senator Steve Daines of Montana has also been advocating for the return of the Redskins logo, which was designed by Walter "Blackie" Wetzel, a member of the Blackfeet tribe. He claimed to have influenced the team and the NFL to promote the former Native American imagery through their social media, in return for his support of the RFK Stadium project. Daines expressed enthusiasm about continuing this push alongside Trump’s name change efforts, envisioning the logo being brought back prominently, particularly on throwback uniforms.

In contrast, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser remained indifferent to Trump's demands, indicating that the city has laid out an appropriate deal and is focused on securing approval from the D.C. Council rather than on Trump's ultimatum. Interestingly, there are historical complexities regarding the name change; concerns about the Redskins' branding initially arose when Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C.'s delegate, warned the franchise that retaining the name could jeopardize future stadium approvals, particularly after the widespread protests following George Floyd's death.