Former President Donald Trump just threw a curveball at the Washington Commanders’ name change, calling it a fumble that never should’ve happened.
Breitbart reported that Trump’s latest remarks, made during a press chat in New Jersey on Sunday, reignited the debate over the Washington football team’s rebranding from Redskins to Commanders, while team owner Josh Harris stands firm on keeping the current moniker.
Let’s rewind to 2020, when the Washington Redskins, after over eight decades, ditched their historic name amid social unrest following the George Floyd riots.
The decision wasn’t made in a vacuum—it came under pressure, notably from the late FedEx founder and minority owner Fred Smith, who also held naming rights to the team’s stadium, FedEx Field.
For two years, the team played under the placeholder title of Washington Football Team, a name as bland as unsalted popcorn. Finally, in 2022, they rolled out “Washington Commanders,” hoping to signal strength and leadership.
Enter Trump, who didn’t mince words when addressing reporters on Sunday. “Well, you want me to make a controversial statement? I would,” he declared, before adding he’d have kept the original name.
Trump doubled down, noting, “It just doesn’t have the same ring to me.” And let’s be honest, “Commanders” does sound like it was cooked up in a corporate boardroom rather than on a gridiron—where’s the grit, the history?
Still, Trump tossed in a pragmatic nugget, conceding, “Winning can make everything sound good.” He’s not wrong—victories have a way of polishing even the dullest of names, but should legacy take a backseat to fleeting trends?
Contrast that with Josh Harris, the current owner, who’s all in on the Commanders' branding. He’s weaving in nods to the team’s past through uniform designs but refuses to revisit the old name.
Harris gushed about the new identity, saying, “The Commanders’ name actually has taken on an amazing kind of element in our building.” That’s a nice sentiment, but it feels like a forced march toward modernity when tradition still tugs at many fans’ heartstrings.
Harris also pointed out the military connection, noting, “We’re in a military city here.” Fair enough—Washington, D.C., does have a strong armed forces presence, which could lend some relevance to “Commanders.”
Yet, one can’t help but wonder if this rebranding is less about honoring local culture and more about dodging the cultural landmines of today’s hyper-sensitive climate. Is this progress, or just pandering to a vocal minority?
Back in 2020, the push from Fred Smith was a key factor in dropping “Redskins,” a name some saw as outdated while others viewed as a badge of heritage. The influence of a minority owner with stadium naming rights shows how business interests can shape cultural decisions.
Trump’s stance, while bold, taps into a broader frustration with what many see as an overzealous push to rewrite history. Changing a team name doesn’t erase the past—it just risks alienating fans who grew up cheering for a legacy.
Trump’s unapologetic defense of tradition versus Harris’s embrace of a new era mirrors a larger cultural tug-of-war. It’s not just about a football team; it’s about how we weigh heritage against the demands of a changing world.