URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump has called for immediate name changes for the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians, sparking significant discussion across social media platforms. In a post on his Truth Social site on Sunday, Trump stated, “The Washington ‘Whatever’s’ should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team.”
Trump’s comments come amid a growing sentiment among some fans and groups advocating for the return of these historic names. He insists that “there is a big clamoring for this,” emphasizing the desire among many to honor Native American heritage, which he claims is being “systematically taken away.”
In a bold move, Trump also urged the Guardians to revert back to their former name, the Cleveland Indians, suggesting that “our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen.” This statement reflects broader cultural discussions about the representation and significance of team names in America.
Despite Trump’s passionate plea, Josh Harris, the new owner of the Commanders, has previously stated that the current name is here to stay. After acquiring the team from Dan Snyder in 2023, Harris quickly dismissed rumors of a name change, reinforcing the brand identity established for the Commanders.
In response to Trump’s comments, Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations for the Guardians, reiterated the team’s commitment to their current name. Ahead of a game against the Athletics, he stated, “We understand there are different perspectives on the decision we made a few years ago, but obviously it’s a decision we made. We’re excited about the future that’s in front of us.”
Both teams adopted their current names in the 2022 seasons. Washington transitioned away from the Redskins after the 2019 season, initially playing as the Washington Football Team before adopting the Commanders name. Cleveland announced its change from the Indians in December 2020, officially becoming the Guardians in July 2021, following the phase-out of the controversial “Chief Wahoo” logo.
The name changes have sparked a divided response, highlighting the ongoing national conversation about team branding and cultural sensitivity. The Guardians represent the fifth name for Cleveland’s baseball franchise, which has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1901 as the Blues. Meanwhile, Washington’s football team began as the Redskins in 1933 before relocating to the U.S. capital.
Both franchises share a unique connection; David Blitzer, a member of Harris’ ownership group for the Commanders, also holds a minority stake in the Guardians. As discussions surrounding name changes continue to escalate, fans and critics alike are closely watching how these teams will navigate the pressures of cultural representation.
As the situation develops, further updates are expected, and the outcome could significantly impact the identities of both franchises. Stay tuned for more urgent updates on this evolving story.