Donald Trump recently sparked outrage by suggesting that the Cleveland Guardians and Washington Commanders teams should change back to their original names, citing Native American heritage and prestige as his reasoning. However, both teams have already taken steps to distance themselves from their problematic pasts.
The Guardians swiftly rejected the idea of reverting to their former “Indians” name, while Trump’s demands for the team to do so are unlikely to succeed. Meanwhile, the Commanders’ potential new home in Washington D.C. is being complicated by concerns over funding and local opposition to a proposed $1 billion stadium investment.
Trump’s threat to force the team to change its name if they want to move back to their original location has no basis in reality, as the site in question has already been transferred from the federal government to the city government. The Commanders have a strong case for staying at their current home, Northwest Stadium, which offers easy transportation options and charm compared to the proposed new stadium.
Despite Trump’s attempts to stir up controversy, the teams’ successes on and off the field are likely to outlast his presidency. With their renewed competitiveness and fan support, both the Guardians and Commanders will continue to thrive in the years to come.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/21/trump-commanders-guardians-name-change-nfl-mlb