Trump threatens NFL stadium deal unless Washington Commanders change name back to Redskins
Trump calls on two NFL teams to change their names
- Donald Trump is threatening to block a new stadium deal for the Washington Commanders in Washington, D.C., unless the team changes its name back to the 'Redskins'.
- Trump also called for the Cleveland Guardians to revert to their previous name, the 'Indians', claiming 'our great Indian people' desire these changes.
- The Washington team changed its name from 'Redskins' in 2020 due to pressure over the use of a racial slur against Native Americans, while the Cleveland team became the 'Guardians' in 2021 for similar reasons.
- A 2020 poll found that half of Native American respondents were offended by the name 'Redskins', and a majority found related actions like the 'tomahawk chop' offensive.
- Despite Trump's demands, both the Commanders and Guardians have indicated no intention of reverting to their previous names, with the Commanders' owner stating they are 'moving forward with the Commanders name'.