Trump Calls for NFL, MLB Teams to Revert to Former Names, Native Leaders Push Back

Trump Calls for NFL, MLB Teams to Revert to Former Names, Native Leaders Push Back

WASHINGTON (Cherokee411) — Former President Donald Trump on Monday renewed calls for two major sports franchises — the NFL’s Washington Commanders and MLB’s Cleveland Guardians — to revert to their previous names, the Redskins and Indians, triggering sharp backlash from Native American leaders who say the remarks perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump threatened to block a proposed $3.7 billion stadium deal for the Commanders unless the team reinstated the name “Redskins,” which it dropped in 2020 following decades of protest from Indigenous activists and civil rights groups. He further criticized the Cleveland Guardians’ rebranding, calling both changes “a disgrace to our heritage.”

“Most Native Americans liked the name,” Trump claimed, without citing sources. “Change it back or lose your stadium deal.”

But major Native American organizations swiftly condemned the remarks.

“The former president is spreading a false narrative,” said Fawn Sharp, president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), in a statement Tuesday. “Our communities have spoken — these names are offensive, outdated, and rooted in a history of racism and cultural erasure.”

The Washington team changed its name after years of mounting pressure from Indigenous groups, players, and sponsors. Similarly, the Cleveland franchise rebranded in 2021 following consultations with local Native American leaders.

“For decades, Native people fought to have these names changed because they reduced us to mascots,” said Shannon Keller O’Loughlin, CEO of the Association on American Indian Affairs. “We are not relics of history. We are modern people with living cultures.”

While a small group called the Native American Guardians Association has supported Trump’s stance, mainstream tribal voices say those views represent a minority and are often amplified by political agendas.

“The idea that these names honor us is a myth,” said Navajo Nation Council Delegate Carl Slater. “They honor colonial nostalgia, not Native realities.”

Trump’s comments come amid his re-election campaign and ongoing legal battles. Some observers see his statements as a political distraction.

“Stoking division over culture-war topics is a classic Trump move,” said Jennifer Denetdale, a Diné historian and professor of American Studies at the University of New Mexico. “It gets headlines but ignores the real issues our communities face — poverty, sovereignty, and climate justice.”

The Biden administration transferred the RFK Stadium site to Washington, D.C., earlier this year. The Commanders’ stadium plans now rest with the D.C. Council, not federal authorities — making Trump’s threats legally empty.

In a written response, the Commanders organization reaffirmed its name and said it remains “focused on uniting fans under a brand that reflects the values of our community.”

For many Native Americans, the debate is about more than sports.

“This is not political correctness,” said O’Loughlin. “This is about dignity, identity, and the right to define ourselves.”

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