Donald Trump is back in the sports headlines — this time dusting off a familiar controversy. In a series of recent Truth Social posts, he called on the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians to ditch their current names and go back to the old ones: the Redskins and Indians. He even went as far as threatening to block the Commanders’ planned return to a redeveloped RFK Stadium site if the name isn’t changed.

Neither team flinched. The Commanders are focused on camp and the future of the franchise under Josh Harris. The Guardians are trying to stay in the Wild Card mix. Most fans are more interested in what’s happening on the field than in reliving name debates from a decade ago anyway.

Trump’s Throwback Blitz

Trump’s Sunday rant on social media turned into a full-on push to rewind the clock. In a series of Truth Social posts, he demanded that the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians toss their current names and bring back the old ones: Redskins and Indians. He leaned hard into the idea that there’s some massive, almost nostalgic, demand for the throwbacks, even claiming that “our great Indian people” are leading the charge to make it happen.

The kicker? He tried to tie the Commanders’ proposed new stadium into the mix — saying flat out that if they don’t change the name, their billion-dollar return to the RFK site could get shut down. It wasn’t a casual opinion or passing comment — it was a threat, plain and simple. One that dropped straight into the middle of a stadium deal already crawling with politics, logistics, and public scrutiny.

As usual, he didn’t exactly hold back. Trump tossed out a handful of jabs, mocking the Commanders as "The Washington Whatevers" and saying the Guardians sound like "a group in charge of a trust fund." He also name-dropped Ohio Senate candidate Matt Dolan — whose family owns the Guardians — claiming Dolan might actually win if he brought the "Indians" name back.

The Teams Clap Back

Cleveland Guardians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. (15) chats with Jose Ramirez as the sun sets during a game against the Seattle Mariners on June 18, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. — Credit: Credit: Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cleveland Keeps Calm

Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti didn’t exactly jump at the bait when asked about Trump’s comments. He told reporters he hadn’t even seen the posts and made it clear the franchise is focused on moving forward with the Guardians name.

We understand there are different perspectives on the decision, but obviously it’s a decision we made. We’ve got the opportunity to build a brand as the Guardians and are excited about the future.

A team spokesperson followed up with a more direct response, saying there’s been “zero discussion” internally about changing the name back. They’re not even entertaining the idea, and they’re not going to pretend they are just because it made the news cycle. The Guardians brand, for better or worse, is here to stay — and in Cleveland, fans seem more concerned with whether José Ramirez has enough help in the lineup than what logo’s on the front of the jersey.

Washington Won’t Walk It Back

Since taking over the team in 2023, Josh Harris hasn’t minced words — the name isn’t going anywhere. And honestly, why would it? The Commanders rebrand, shaky at first, has slowly started to feel like a fresh start. The franchise has finally shaken off the stench of the Snyder era, fans are starting to believe again, and there’s legitimate hype around the team for the first time in a long while.

That top-five defense and the excitement around a young QB in Jayden Daniels? All of that momentum is tied directly to Commanders gear. The numbers back it up too. A May poll from The Washington Post and Schar School found that 50 percent of D.C. adults and 62 percent of self-identified fans either "like" or "love" the Commanders name. And those numbers have gone up every single quarter since their playoff run. For a brand that was once getting clowned daily on Twitter, that’s a real turnaround.

Can Trump Really Sack the RFK Deal?

Rfk Stadium Entrance — Credit: Credit: USA TODAY SPORTS via Imagn Images

What the Deal Looks Like

The current proposal is a massive swing at bringing the Commanders back into the heart of the city. It includes a 99-year lease for the RFK Stadium site, $1.1 billion in public funds, and $2.7 billion coming straight from the franchise’s pocket. In return, D.C. would get a modern stadium complex that’s way more than just a football field. Think beer gardens, a riverwalk, open-air retail, and sightlines that let fans actually see the game without craning their necks.

Public hearings are set to kick off July 29, and city leaders are already bracing for everything from traffic complaints to questions about tax dollars. But beyond all the design buzzwords and flashy renderings, there’s a real emotional piece here too. For a lot of longtime fans, this deal feels like the final step in washing away the Dan Snyder era. Getting the team back in D.C. — where it belongs — has been a goal for years. Now, with new ownership and real investment on the table, that dream is inching closer to reality.

The Legislative Reality Check

There’s a big obstacle standing in the way of Trump’s threat. Back in January, Joe Biden approved a bill that officially transferred control of the RFK site from the federal government to the District. That move basically handed over the keys to D.C. leadership, and from a legal standpoint, it took the White House out of the driver’s seat.

So while Trump can post all he wants or voice his opposition, he can’t actually block the project outright. The decision now rests with D.C.’s 13-member council. Council Chair Phil Mendelson already said he’s gotten “zero” complaints about the Commanders’ name in relation to the stadium deal, which tells you exactly how much weight Trump’s comments are carrying with local leadership.

Now, could Trump still try to apply pressure through the federal budget? Technically, sure. But threatening to slash general District funding over a team name would be a pretty wild political move. It’s like canceling your Netflix account because they dropped one show you didn’t like. And even if he did try something drastic, it’d be tied up in budget negotiations and red tape long after the concrete gets poured. In reality, the stadium is moving forward, and Trump’s opposition — at least for now — is more symbolic than anything else.

Native American Voices: Not Buying the Sales Pitch

Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Washington Commanders helmet at State Farm Stadium. — Credit: Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Association on American Indian Affairs didn’t hold back in their response, calling Trump’s push “empty political theater.” They emphasized that this isn’t a new fight — and it’s certainly not one where he speaks for the majority. Tribal leaders have spent decades pushing back against the use of Native names and imagery in sports, and nothing about that has changed just because it’s election season.

Suzan Shown Harjo, who’s been leading this conversation for over 40 years and played a huge role in getting the Redskins name retired, echoed that message. She encouraged both the Commanders and Guardians to stay the course, applauding the progress that’s been made. Most Native leaders see those names as offensive, not honoring them. And they’d much rather see teams investing in real community partnerships than trying to relive the past.

Where It All Lands

At the end of the day, this whole back-and-forth feels more like noise than anything that’s actually going to shift the direction of either franchise. Both the Commanders and Guardians have planted their flags — new names, new eras, and momentum that’s tied more to what’s happening on the field than what’s written across the chest.

Trump stirred the pot, sure. But neither team took the bait, and most fans didn’t either. We’re deep into training camp storylines and late-season MLB drama, and that’s where the focus is going to stay.

News Page

Main Content

Sidebar Content

Latest Entertainment

Related Stories