Trump Urges Washington, Cleveland Teams Revert Original Names

President Donald Trump has publicly called for Washington’s NFL team to revert to its former name, the Redskins, and for Cleveland’s MLB team to return to the Indians name, citing strong support from Native Americans and criticizing the current team names as offensive and damaging to heritage. Trump threatened to block the Washington Commanders' new stadium deal if the NFL team does not restore the Redskins name, though the team’s new ownership has affirmed no plans to revert. Similarly, the Cleveland Guardians have stated they have no intention of changing their name back, with team officials emphasizing their commitment to the new branding and future. Trump framed these demands as part of a broader effort to reverse changes made during national debates on cultural sensitivity and racial justice, which led to the original name changes in 2020 and 2022. Despite Trump’s insistence and political commentary, including linking the name change to election outcomes for local politicians, both teams remain committed to their current identities. The debate highlights ongoing tensions around sports team names and cultural representation in America.