Trump Pushes Commanders and Guardians to Reclaim Historic Team Names

President Donald Trump is turning up the heat on the owners of the NFL’s Washington Commanders and MLB’s Cleveland Guardians, urging them to ditch their current team names and return to their historic monikers. In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump made his case loud and clear, arguing that the original names hold deep cultural significance and should be restored.

The Washington Commanders, once known as the Redskins, underwent a name change in 2020 amid heightened racial sensitivities, eventually settling on their current title under new owner Josh Harris. Similarly, the Cleveland Guardians shed their long-standing Indians name in 2021, a decision rooted in societal shifts following the death of George Floyd. But Trump isn’t buying the rationale behind these changes. He insists there’s a groundswell of support—especially among Native American communities—to reclaim these names as a point of pride and heritage.

‘A Clamoring for History’
Trump didn’t mince words, stating, "The Washington ‘Whatever’s’ should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this." He extended the same sentiment to Cleveland, highlighting the Indians’ legacy as one of baseball’s original teams. For Trump, this isn’t just about sports—it’s about preserving a piece of cultural identity in a time when, as he puts it, "passion and common sense" should prevail.

However, team owners aren’t budging. Harris, speaking earlier this year, emphasized that the Commanders’ name has taken on new meaning, resonating with fans, players, and the military community in D.C. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s leadership has shown no signs of revisiting their decision. Despite the pushback, Trump’s call to action—"OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!"—has reignited a debate that’s as much about history as it is about the future of these franchises.

This isn’t just a name game; it’s a clash of values, nostalgia, and modern sensibilities playing out on a national stage. Whether the owners will heed Trump’s plea remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the conversation is far from over.