President Donald Trump has once again stirred debate by urging the Washington Commanders to return to their former nickname, the “Redskins.”
Echoing this call is Scott Turner – not only a former NFL player who was drafted by the franchise in 1995 but also a former cabinet member in Trump’s administration. Turner took to social media to voice his agreement with Trump’s position.
“I played in the NFL and was drafted by the Washington Redskins. Not the ‘Washington Football Team’ or the ‘Commanders,'” Turner wrote on X. “@POTUS is right. It’s time to bring the Redskins’ name back.”
Trump made his demands public via Truth Social on Sunday, claiming there is significant public support – particularly from Native Americans – to restore the old name. “There is a big clamoring for this,” Trump wrote.
He went on to say, “Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them.”
Turner, Trump and the Washington argument
The 53-year-old Turner, who played cornerback in the NFL for nearly a decade, started his career with Washington before brief stints with the Chargers and Broncos.
His comments suggest a strong emotional connection to the name under which he began his professional football journey.
The Washington franchise retired the “Redskins” name in 2020, amid a wave of social justice movements and corporate pressure. Under former owner Daniel Snyder, the team rebranded first as the “Washington Football Team” and then as the “Commanders” in 2022. The name change aimed to distance the franchise from its controversial past, which many believed included racially insensitive branding.
But with new ownership in place and the 2024 NFL season approaching, a renewed debate over the team’s identity has emerged. While Trump has no official influence over NFL decisions, his social media commentary frequently energizes his base – and in this case, some Washington fans and former players.
In a follow-up post, Trump took things a step further, suggesting that stadium deals might be contingent on reverting to the former nickname.
“If they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins,’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’ I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington.”
Trump also expanded his critique to Major League Baseball, taking aim at the Cleveland Guardians – previously the Cleveland Indians. “Cleveland should do the same with the Cleveland Indians,” he wrote, arguing that the name change hurt owner Matt Dolan politically. “Indians are being treated very unfairly. MAKE INDIANS GREAT AGAIN (MIGA)!”
Support from Native Indian groups
While Trump’s stance has found support from some corners – including certain Native American groups and fans who view the name as a symbol of tradition – academic research presents a more complicated picture.
Studies from the University of Michigan and UC Berkeley indicate that many Native Americans do in fact find the term offensive, countering Trump’s claims.
Still, public opinion remains divided. Some polls of self-identified Native Americans have shown indifference or support for the old name, while others reveal disapproval. The issue continues to provoke strong feelings from both sides of the argument.
The Washington Commanders have not officially responded to Trump’s comments. As the team looks toward a new chapter under fresh leadership, it remains to be seen whether a return to its old identity is on the table – or simply political theater.
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