If the US president has his way, the Commanders will operate under a new name in the future. © APA / TIMOTHY NWACHUKWU

Trump wants to change the name of an NFL team

US President Donald Trump urges the NFL team Washington Commanders to revert to its old name

July 21, 2025

From: dpa

“The Washington whatevers should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team,” the Republican wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The football team abandoned its name Redskins years ago after criticism from Native Americans and has been called Commanders since 2022.

A threat to the Commanders

Trump combines his demand with a threat: "I may impose a restriction on them if they don't change the name back to the original 'Washington Redskins' and get rid of the ridiculous nickname 'Commanders.'" He continued: "I will then not make a deal for them to build a stadium in Washington."

Donald Trump (l.) causes a stir in the NFL. © ANSA / JIM LO SCALZO / POOL

Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, signed a law in January of this year transferring the site of the now-demolished Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington to the District of Columbia. This laid the groundwork for the construction of a new stadium on the same site.

Trump also has baseball team in his sights

Trump is also demanding a name reversal from the Cleveland Guardians baseball team, formerly known as the Cleveland Indians. Trump claimed that times are different now than they were three or four years ago.
Years ago, the death of African American George Floyd during a police operation in the USA sparked a debate about racism and led to reflection on memorials and name changes.