President Donald Trump has issued a warning to the NFL’s Washington Commanders, stating that he is “serious” about blocking their proposed stadium deal if they do not change their name back to the Redskins. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed this, citing Trump’s reputation as a dealmaker and his desire to see the team’s name changed.
The proposal includes $1.1 billion in local taxpayer funds for a new stadium at the site of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington D.C., which would serve as the team’s home once again. However, Congress has passed a law transferring ownership of the RFK stadium site to the District of Columbia, making it unlikely that Trump can unilaterally block the deal.
Trump’s threat comes after he previously voiced support for the team’s former name, but this marks the first time he has used his position to call for a name change. The team’s owner, Daniel Snyder, sold the franchise in 2023 and has stated that he will keep the Commanders name, which many see as a settled issue.
The White House has doubled down on Trump’s threat, with press secretary Leavitt citing his reputation as a dealmaker and his desire to see results for the American people. She added that polls show most Americans support Trump’s position on this issue, including sports fans across the country.
However, it is unclear what specific actions Trump plans to take or whether any sign-off from him is required for approval of the Commanders’ stadium deal. The deal still requires final approval from the D.C. Council, which is nearing a vote.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/21/trump-serious-washington-commanders-redskins-stadium/85314999007