Trump Proposes Renaming NFL Commanders Back to “Redskins,” Citing Offense to Commanders-in-Chief
Washington, D.C. — President Donald J. Trump announced Tuesday that he believes the Washington Commanders NFL team should revert to its former name, the Redskins, arguing that the current name is “deeply disrespectful to real Commanders — especially Commanders-in-Chief.”
Speaking at a press event originally scheduled to promote infrastructure, the president pivoted to the topic of professional football during prepared remarks, stating, “The name ‘Commanders’ is a disgrace. Frankly, it’s offensive. Nobody asked the Commanders-in-Chief, and I’m the most commander-in-chiefest of them all. The team should go back to Redskins — a strong name, a proud name, and most importantly, not insulting to presidents.”
The president did not address prior controversies regarding the term “Redskins,” which was retired in 2020 after years of criticism from Native American groups, civil rights organizations, and linguists. Instead, he focused on what he called “a silent epidemic of Commander-in-Chief erasure.”
“We’ve had enough attacks on our great leaders,” Trump said. “They took Andrew Jackson off the $20. They’re trying to impeach George Washington retroactively. Now they’re coming for the football field.”
White House Press Secretary Tucker Carlson 2.0 later clarified the administration’s position.
“The president respects all titles,” Carlson said. “But the term ‘Commander’ should be reserved for presidents and fictional submarine captains. Giving it to a mediocre NFC East team is an insult to the office of the presidency and to Tom Clancy.”
When asked whether Native American groups had been consulted, Carlson responded, “We’re focusing on the stakeholders who are actually offended, which in this case is the executive branch.”
The NFL declined to comment but released a brief statement noting that “team names are determined by ownership and league consensus, not executive order.” President Trump reportedly responded by suggesting that “executive suggestion” might be a more accurate term going forward.
Reactions on Capitol Hill were mixed. Democrats criticized the move as a distraction, while several Republican lawmakers expressed support. Sen. Clayden Rawls (R-TX) stated, “Finally, a president standing up for our brave Commanders-in-Chief. I don’t know what a Commander is supposed to be, but I know I don’t like watching one lose to the Giants twice a year.”
At press time, sources indicated the president is also considering a new initiative to rename the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to “Patriots 2,” citing discomfort with pirate imagery and its historical association with “sea crime.”
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