Former President Donald Trump recently advocated for the return of the "Washington Redskins" and "Cleveland Indians" team names, asserting that such a move would bring back fan support to the franchises. He further claimed that Native American communities are the "most upset" about the recent name changes. These remarks reignite a long-standing debate over the use of Indigenous names and imagery in professional sports.
The Washington NFL franchise, now known as the Commanders, retired its "Redskins" name in 2020 after decades of intense criticism and increasing corporate pressure. The name, widely considered a racial slur by numerous Native American organizations and activists, had been the subject of protests and legal challenges since the 1960s. The team initially adopted the temporary "Washington Football Team" before officially rebranding as the Commanders in 2022, signaling a departure from its controversial past.
Similarly, Major League Baseball's Cleveland team transitioned from the "Indians" to the "Guardians" in 2022, following sustained advocacy against the name and its associated Chief Wahoo logo. The "Indians" moniker, in use for over a century, faced increasing scrutiny for its stereotypical portrayal of Indigenous people. This decision, influenced by a broader national reckoning on racial justice in 2020, aimed to foster a more inclusive identity for the franchise.
According to the social media post, Trump suggested that fans would "return to support the franchises if that happened." He further claimed that "Native American Indians are the most upset about the name changes." However, this assertion contrasts sharply with the long-standing efforts of prominent Indigenous advocacy groups, such as the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), which have consistently championed the removal of such names, citing their offensive and dehumanizing nature.
While a significant majority of Native American voices have opposed these team names, some groups, like the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA), have expressed support for the "Redskins" name, arguing it honors Native American heritage. The decisions by both franchises to change their names were ultimately the culmination of decades of public pressure, legal battles, and financial considerations from major sponsors. These rebrandings reflect an ongoing societal shift towards greater cultural sensitivity in sports and public representation.