President Donald Trump has intensified his pressure on the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians team owners to revert their team names to the old Native American nicknames, the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Indians, respectively. Trump’s call to action came in a recent post on his social media platform, where he argued that the names are not only part of the teams’ storied history but also a tribute to the heritage of Native American communities. He claimed that the push from these communities for the names to return is gaining momentum.
Trump’s demand for a name change is not without context. The Washington Commanders, once known as the Washington Redskins, underwent a name change in 2020 amid widespread protests over the racial implications of the name. This decision was made by owner Daniel Snyder, who later sold the team to Josh Harris. Harris has since emphasized that the Commanders’ name has become a significant part of the team’s identity. In a recent appearance on Fox News Channel’s ‘Special Report,’ Harris stated that the name has taken on an ‘amazing kind of element’ in the team’s brand, and he has no intention of reverting to the ‘Redskins’ name regardless of future developments.
The Cleveland Guardians, previously the Cleveland Indians, also saw a name change in 2021 following similar concerns about the use of Native American names in sports. Team owner Paul Dolan cited an ‘awakening or epiphany’ after the death of George Floyd as the reason for the change. While the Guardians have not indicated any plans to revert to the ‘Indians’ name, Trump has been vocal in his support for the name change, claiming that the ‘Indians’ name is part of the team’s legacy and that the Native American community is actively seeking its return.
Trump’s comments have stirred up controversy, with critics arguing that the decision to revert to the old names is a step backward in the ongoing efforts to address racial insensitivity in sports. Meanwhile, the Guardians’ team officials have not taken any position on the name change, leaving the issue open to further debate. As the discussion continues, it remains unclear whether team owners will heed Trump’s call, given the significant financial and cultural implications of potentially changing the names of these well-known franchises.