Trump Threatens Washington, Cleveland Stadium Deals Over Team Names

President Donald Trump has threatened to block a stadium deal for the Washington Commanders unless the NFL team reverts to its former name, the "Washington Redskins," which was dropped in 2020 due to its offensive connotations toward Native Americans. Trump also urged the Cleveland Guardians baseball team to return to their previous name, the Indians, citing public demand. The Commanders and Guardians, both renamed ahead of the 2022 seasons as part of broader cultural sensitivity efforts, have stated they do not plan to revert to their old names. While Trump claimed the Commanders would be "much more valuable" with their original name and hinted at federal intervention in D.C. affairs, the team's new ownership and the Guardians' leadership have expressed no interest in changing back. Indigenous advocacy groups remain divided on the issue, with some opposing the old names as harmful, while a few support them as honoring heritage. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between tradition and cultural sensitivity in American sports branding.