Trump Threatens Washington Commanders’ RFK Stadium Deal Over Team’s Name Change

TIME

President Donald Trump is threatening to hold up a new stadium deal for Washington's NFL team if it does not restore its old name of the Redskins, which is considered offensive to Native Americans.

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00:00Have you been hearing all this talk about sports team names coming out of the White House?

00:16On Sunday, July 20th, President Trump revived what seemed to be a settled debate about the

00:21appropriateness of Native American-themed sports names for US sports teams. Trump called on the

00:27quote, Washington whatevers to quote, change their name back to the Washington Redskins football team.

00:33In 2020, the now Washington commanders dropped the Redskins nickname, long condemned as an

00:39anti-Indigenous slur. The president threatened to thwart a deal for the team to build a new stadium

00:45in DC, unless it returned to the previous name. Trump also called on Cleveland's baseball team,

00:50which changed its name from the Indians to the Guardians for the 2022 season, to turn back the

00:56clock and restore the Indians name. In his second term, Trump has largely avoided targeting pro

01:01sports teams or players. In his first term, he angered many athletes for criticizing Colin Kaepernick

01:07and others who knelt during the national anthem. But if Trump's recent actions are any indication,

01:12the president's bully pulpit could be making its return to a stadium or arena near you.

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