Trump Advocates for Name Changes of Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians

In a recent post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump has called for the NFL’s Washington Commanders and MLB’s Cleveland Guardians to revert to their former names, the Redskins and the Indians, respectively. Trump’s comments, which came on July 20, 2025, reflect a broader conversation about identity and heritage in sports, particularly regarding names that have been deemed offensive by many.

Trump asserted that there is a "big clamoring" for the name change back to the Redskins, emphasizing that the heritage and prestige of Native Americans are being diminished. He further stated, "GET IT DONE!!!" referring to the team owners and linking the name change to the potential economic benefits of a new stadium deal for the Commanders in Washington, D.C.

Chris Antonetti, President of the Guardians, responded to Trump’s remarks by indicating that the team is focused on its future and is not revisiting the decision made in 2021 to adopt the Guardians name. Antonetti noted, "I understand there are very different perspectives on the decision we made a few years ago. But it’s a decision we made and we’ve gotten the opportunity to build the brand as the Guardians over the last four years."

The Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians underwent name changes in 2020 amid widespread protests over racial injustice following the death of George Floyd. The NFL team faced pressure from retailers and corporations, including Walmart and Nike, to abandon the Redskins name, which many criticized as a racial slur. After two seasons as the Washington Football Team, the franchise adopted the Commanders name ahead of the 2022 season. The franchise, owned by Josh Harris, has since stated that the name is now embraced by the team culture.

In Cleveland, the Guardians name was chosen after extensive discussions with fans and stakeholders about the implications of the former name. The Guardians dropped the controversial Chief Wahoo logo in 2019, a move that was part of a broader effort to address concerns over cultural sensitivity. The Guardians, inspired by the Guardians of Traffic sculptures in Cleveland, officially adopted their new name in July 2021.

The Commanders are currently in discussions with the D.C. city council regarding a new stadium, with plans for a 65,000-seat facility to open by 2030. This deal, estimated at $2.7 billion, would be the largest private investment in the city’s history. However, the council’s vote on the stadium has faced delays, allowing the team to seek alternative locations if necessary.

As the discourse surrounding the names continues, various stakeholders remain divided. While some fans support a return to the historical names, others advocate for the need to respect the sentiments of Native American communities and the progress made in modernizing team identities. The future of both franchises' names will likely remain a contentious topic as they navigate their respective brand identities and community relations.