Donald Trump weighs in on Washington football team name debate as he calls the Redskins label a superior option during talk about stadium deal in DC

In the world of sports and politics, few figures stir the pot quite like Donald Trump.

And during a recent conversation, the former—and now re-elected—president dipped back into a familiar culture war topic: sports team names.

While he didn’t flat-out endorse the Washington Commanders reverting back to their old “Redskins” name, he made it clear he’s no fan of the changes made in recent years.

“Redskins” vs. “Commanders”: Trump Has a Preference

When asked if he’d consider tying the Commanders’ stadium negotiations in Washington, D.C., to a name change, Trump sidestepped any firm commitment. But he didn’t hold back his opinion.

“Now Washington, the Redskins, perhaps that’s a little different, a little different,” Trump said.

“I think it’s a superior name to what they have right now.”

He then pivoted to his usual rallying cry, saying, “We’re about bringing common sense back to this country.”

The Long Controversy Around the Name

The name “Redskins” has long been a flashpoint for debate.

Indigenous groups began pushing back against the use of Native American mascots as early as the 1960s.

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), a major voice for tribal communities in D.C., consistently argued the nickname was offensive and amounted to a racial slur.

Despite years of protests and lobbying, it wasn’t until cultural attitudes shifted more dramatically in the 2010s—fueled by new research and rising awareness—that public pressure mounted on the team to finally take action.

Cultural Backlash and a 2020 Turning Point

Things came to a head in 2020. Following the killing of George Floyd and the nationwide reckoning around race and representation, major sponsors and the NFL itself started pushing the team to reconsider its name.

Eventually, under that pressure, the franchise retired the “Redskins” name and operated for two seasons as the “Washington Football Team.”

In 2022, the rebrand to the “Commanders” was made official.

A New Owner, A Renewed Campaign

When Dan Snyder sold the team to Josh Harris, it breathed new life into a grassroots push to bring back the old name.

Some fans, still attached to the history and identity tied to “Redskins,” have turned their efforts toward the new leadership.

One group, the Native American Guardians Association—which takes a firm stance against eliminating Native-themed mascots—has even started a petition to restore the name.

Trump Supporters Hope He’ll Intervene—But He Can’t

With Trump back in office, some fans are hoping he can somehow make the name change happen.

But here’s the thing: both the NFL and the Commanders are private entities.

No matter how much political muscle Trump may flex, he doesn’t have the legal authority to force a name reversal.

Plus, there’s an even bigger hurdle. The team’s ambition to return from Maryland to a new stadium in D.C.—specifically on the site of the old RFK Stadium—could get complicated if the name “Redskins” is brought back into the mix.

A Quick Look Back at the Team’s Origins

For context, the Commanders weren’t always a D.C. team. The franchise actually started in Boston back in 1932, initially called the “Boston Braves”—sharing the name and stadium with the city’s baseball team.

Just one year later, the name changed to “Redskins” and the team moved to Fenway Park.

In 1937, they relocated to Washington, where they’ve been ever since.

Racist Legacy Tied to Team Founder

It’s impossible to talk about the team’s name without mentioning George Preston Marshall, the original owner.

He had a reputation for pushing racist policies in the league and actively supported an unwritten rule that kept Black players out of the NFL until 1946.

In fact, the Redskins were the last NFL team to integrate.

They only did so in 1962 after being threatened by then-Attorney General Robert Kennedy and Interior Secretary Stewart Udall.

The ultimatum? Integrate or lose your lease at DC Stadium (now known as RFK).

Marshall drafted Ernie Davis, the first Black player to win the Heisman Trophy, but Davis didn’t want to play for the team.

He was ultimately traded to Cleveland, and Bobby Mitchell became the Redskins’ first Black player.

The Name Debate Isn’t Going Away

So, while Trump stirred headlines by voicing his preference for the old name, the truth is this debate is far from settled.

Between legal limits, cultural shifts, and stadium politics, the fate of the “Redskins” name is still up in the air.

For now, it’s clear that the conversation around team names, identity, and representation in American sports is still very much alive—and not even a former president can put it to rest just yet.