Following Donald Trump’s recent victory over Kamala Harris, discussions about a potential rebranding of the Washington Commanders have reignited within the NFL community. Trump’s win, viewed by many supporters as a return to traditional values, has emboldened a segment of Washington Commanders fans to call on the president-elect to advocate for restoring the franchise’s former name, the Washington Redskins.

Calls to Restore the Original Name

Trump’s election has inspired a renewed push among traditional fans for the team to revert to its original name, the Washington Redskins, which it held from 1937 until 2020. The shift from “Redskins” to “Commanders” came after years of mounting pressure to address concerns of racial insensitivity. In response, the franchise, previously known as the Washington Redskins, initially adopted the temporary title of Washington Football Team in 2020, before becoming the “Commanders” in 2022 under former owner Dan Snyder.

However, the change hasn’t fully satisfied all fans. With Trump set to return to office, some have taken to social media platforms like X to call on him to influence the team’s leadership to reverse the rebranding. Despite their enthusiasm, the NFL franchise remains a privately owned entity, and as president or president-elect, Trump holds no formal authority over team decisions.

The Franchise’s Controversial History

The name change was one of several contentious issues the franchise faced under Dan Snyder’s leadership. By 2020, amid national protests over racial justice following the death of George Floyd, pressure from sponsors, fans, and advocacy groups ultimately led to the retirement of the Redskins name. Snyder, who faced consistent scrutiny during his tenure, eventually sold the team in 2023 to a consortium led by Josh Harris, which includes NBA legend Magic Johnson.

According to NFL regulations, a team can only rebrand every five years unless a change in ownership occurs. While some fans hope that Harris’s ownership group might consider a name restoration, the team has not signaled any intent to revisit the issue.

Social Media Erupts with Fan Sentiment

As news of Trump’s election spread, fans flocked to social media to voice support for the Redskins name revival:

  • “Trump should make the NFL bring back the Redskins,” one fan declared.
  • “Can we start calling Washington the Redskins again tomorrow?” another user tweeted.
  • “It’s time to bring back the Washington Redskins,” posted a third.

Some fans even referenced other sports rebrands, such as Cleveland’s MLB team, which changed its name from the Indians to the Guardians in 2022.

Native American Group Joins the Call

Adding to the debate, a Native American group in 2023 urged the Washington Commanders to revert to the Redskins name, arguing that doing so would counter “cancel culture.” The group claims that the name change represented not a victory for social justice but a loss of cultural heritage. Although opinions remain divided, the appeals have spotlighted the ongoing tension between honoring tradition and adapting to evolving social norms in sports.

For now, the Commanders’ name remains unchanged. However, Trump’s victory has amplified voices advocating for a return to the franchise’s original identity. Whether the new ownership group will respond to these calls remains to be seen, but the debate underscores the deep cultural connections many fans feel toward team names and identities.