Trump Calls for Return of Former Names for Washington, Cleveland Sports Teams
In a recent social media post, Donald Trump urged the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians to revert to their previous names, which were changed due to concerns over racial insensitivity toward Native Americans.
"The Washington ‘Whatever’s’ [sic] should IMMEDIATELY change their name back," part of the statement read. "There is a big clamoring for this … Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago."
Trump also referenced Cleveland’s baseball team, calling it "one of the six original baseball teams, with a storied past." While baseball does not have an "original six" designation (a term associated with hockey), Cleveland’s franchise has a long history, dating back to the late 1800s. The team has undergone several name changes since relocating to Cleveland, including the Lakeshores, Bluebirds, Broncos, Naps, and Indians—the latter of which was retired in 2021 following years of criticism from Native American groups and others.
Washington’s NFL team faced similar scrutiny for its former name and mascot, leading to a temporary rebrand as the Washington Football Team before becoming the Commanders in 2022. Under former owner Daniel Snyder, the organization resisted changing the name for years before the franchise was sold to Josh Harris in 2023.
Cleveland’s baseball team was owned by Larry Dolan until his death in 2025, when ownership passed to his son Paul. The Guardians adopted their current name after broader discussions about racial justice, particularly following the death of George Floyd. At the time, the team stated a commitment to "making a positive impact in our community" and recognized the importance of their name in connecting with fans.
In his post, Trump concluded by demanding that team ownership act swiftly: "GET IT DONE!!!"
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