Former President Donald Trump is no stranger to weighing in on NFL matters, and recently, he reignited a long-standing debate surrounding the name of Washington’s football team. Back in April, Trump was asked about the Washington Commanders’ name change five years after it was initially made. He’s never been shy about expressing nostalgia for the former name, the Redskins, commenting that it had a “superior” ring to it, although he conceded it was “a little different” from other retired team names linked to Native American imagery.
Fast forward to now, and Trump has doubled down on his stance. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he made it clear that, given the choice, he would have kept the Redskins moniker. “You want me to make a controversial statement?” Trump said. “I would. I wouldn’t have changed the name. It just doesn’t have the same ring to me.”
However, Trump did add a caveat, acknowledging the transformative power of winning. “But, you know, winning can make everything sound good,” he noted. “So if they win, all of a sudden the Commanders sounds good, but I wouldn’t have changed the name.”
This discussion comes amidst a backdrop of new ownership for the Commanders, who have decisively stated that the old name won’t be making a comeback—a stark contrast to former owner Dan Snyder’s firm stance against any name change during his tenure.
With Washington’s franchise reportedly eyeing a new stadium in the nation’s capital, the question arises: What role could Trump’s influence play in these developments? While it’s unlikely we’ll see the Redskins name restored, the Washington Commanders under Josh Harris’ leadership seem focused on paving a fresh path forward.
As the dust settles, the enduring question remains—how will the team’s identity evolve in the coming years, and can they capture both fans’ imaginations and victories as the Commanders?
