Trump threatens to block Commanders’ stadium over name change

US President Donald Trump has threatened to block the Washington Commanders’ £3bn stadium project unless the NFL team reverts to its original name, the Redskins.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed there is a “big clamouring” for the Commanders to restore the name dropped in July 2020 over long-standing concerns it was racist and offensive to Native Americans.

Trump wrote:

“I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original Washington Redskins and get rid of the ridiculous moniker Washington Commanders, I won’t make a deal for them to build a stadium in Washington.”

The Commanders agreed in April to build a 65,000-seater stadium on the site of the old RFK Stadium, their home from 1961 to 1997, with DC Council recently urged to fast-track approval for the plans.

Trump added:

“The team would be much more valuable and the deal would be more exciting for everyone.”

Why the name controversy matters

The Redskins name was dropped in 2020 following protests and calls from sponsors for change. The franchise temporarily became the Washington Football Team before adopting Commanders in 2022.

Trump’s comments have reignited debate over team names, particularly as he also urged MLB’s Cleveland Guardians to revert to their former Cleveland Indians name.

“Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen,” Trump said.

However, Guardians president Chris Antonetti responded:

“We’ve gotten the opportunity to build the brand as the Guardians over the last four years and we’re excited about the future.”

What’s next for the Commanders?

The NFL team has not responded to Trump’s remarks. With a £3bn investment at stake and political pressure growing, all eyes are on whether the stadium project will move forward as planned.

Trump made history earlier this year by becoming the first sitting US president to attend the Super Bowl, as the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22.