A day following Donald Trump’s warning to halt progress on a new football stadium in the nation’s capital unless the Washington Commanders reverted to the name Redskins, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed the seriousness of the president’s remarks. Leavitt informed journalists on Monday that President Trump’s stance stems from his keen interest in sports and his desire for the team to adopt a new name.
In response to inquiries about the president’s involvement, Leavitt described Trump as an unconventional leader and highlighted widespread support from sports enthusiasts for his position. She emphasized that Trump prioritizes delivering tangible outcomes for the American people, and polling indicates backing for the name change among sports fans nationwide, including in Washington, D.C.
Following congressional approval of a bill transferring land to the District of Columbia last year, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the team struck a deal in April to construct a new stadium at the former RFK Stadium site, pending approval by the District of Columbia Council. Bowser stressed the importance of fulfilling their responsibilities in the project.
Team owner Dan Snyder, who had long resisted changing the name, eventually relented in July 2020 due to mounting pressure. The team temporarily adopted the name Washington Football Team before unveiling Commanders as the permanent name in early 2022.
Josh Harris, who acquired the team from Snyder in 2023, affirmed the permanence of the Commanders name earlier this year. Meanwhile, Savannah Romero of the Black Liberation-Indigenous Sovereignty Collective denounced Trump’s remarks, asserting that “Native Americans are not mascots” and condemning the dehumanization of Indigenous people through such representations.
The National Congress of American Indians has been advocating for the removal of Native-themed mascots since 1950, viewing them as disrespectful and undermining tribal sovereignty. President Mark Macarro emphasized the need to eliminate imagery and behaviors that belittle Native communities.
While some organizations have petitioned for the return of names like Redskins and Cleveland Indians, several fans dismissed Trump’s comments as insignificant. Ender Tuncay criticized Trump’s focus on trivial matters, expressing indifference to the team’s name but supporting the construction of a new stadium. Ford Flemmings, a former vendor at RFK Stadium, mentioned the widespread acceptance of the Commanders name among fans, noting his continued loyalty to the team regardless of its name changes.