In his latest foray into sports and culture wars, former President Donald Trump voiced his disapproval of the Washington Commanders’ name—saying he “wouldn’t have changed” the team’s original moniker, the Redskins. But in the same breath, Trump also admitted that if the team starts winning, “even Commanders could sound great.”
Trump Weighs In on Commanders Name
| Key Insight | Stat / Fact |
|---|---|
| The “Redskins” name has long been condemned as a racial slur | Dictionaries and advocacy groups label it offensive |
| Trump said success can change how a name feels | “Winning can make everything sound good,” he added |
| Team changed its name in 2020 amid mounting pressure | Rebranded as “Commanders” in 2022 |
At its core, Trump’s remark—“Winning can make anything sound great”—touches on a hard truth in sports: Success has a way of soothing controversy. But for millions of Native Americans and socially conscious fans, the question isn’t about how a name sounds after a Super Bowl run. It’s about whether it ever should’ve been there in the first place.
For Trump, the name “Redskins” may be part of a beloved past. For others, the Commanders represent a more inclusive future.
Trump’s Comments Tap into a Bigger Conversation
At a recent event, Trump didn’t mince words. “It just doesn’t have the same ring to me,” he said of the Commanders name. That sentiment resonates with some long-time fans who still miss the old identity. But for others, it’s a reminder of how fraught that name was in the first place.
Still, Trump wasn’t totally dismissive. “If they start winning,” he added, “Commanders could be a great name. Winning makes everything sound better.”
This isn’t just about football—it’s part of a larger trend in Trump’s messaging. Like his effort to reverse Pentagon decisions that renamed Confederate bases, Trump’s take on the Commanders plays into broader themes of tradition versus change.
From Redskin to Commander: A Charged History
Why the Change Happened
For decades, Native American groups and civil rights advocates called the “Redskins” name racist and demeaning. The tipping point came in 2020, during the nationwide racial reckoning sparked by George Floyd’s murder. Sponsors like Nike and FedEx threatened to pull their support unless the team rebranded.
In response, the Washington Football Team temporarily dropped its old name before officially becoming the “Commanders” in 2022—an homage to the nation’s capital and its military heritage. “It wasn’t just a name. It was a painful reminder,” said one tribal leader during the rebranding process.
Trump’s Mixed Message
Just weeks before criticizing the name, Trump appeared at a White House event wearing an “Ultimate Commander” jersey—a gesture critics called tone-deaf, if not hypocritical. But for Trump, showmanship and contradiction often go hand-in-hand.
As reported by Times of India, the moment sparked backlash from both sides of the political aisle. Was it political theater? An honest opinion? Or just another Trump moment that defies a single explanation?
What’s the Bigger Picture?
Trump’s comments come amid a larger effort by his camp to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies—including recent moves to rename U.S. military bases that had shed Confederate titles under the Biden administration. As Politico notes, Trump has begun “un-renaming” several of these installations as part of what he calls a push against “woke overreach.” That parallel raises questions: Is the Commanders debate just sports banter, or part of a calculated cultural strategy?
Where Does the Team Stand?
Despite the controversy, there’s no sign the Commanders are backing down from their new identity. Ownership has voiced strong support for the name, emphasizing its ties to the city and its values.
Players and staff seem to be embracing it too. Newer fans—many of whom never saw a game with the old name—only know the team as the Commanders. As with any brand shift, what matters most may be what happens on the field.
