Donald Trump reignites culture war as Epstein list disappears

In the midst of the polarized climate gripping the United States, few names spark more sharply divided opinions than Donald Trump’s. And if there’s one thing the former president is known for, it’s his willingness to insert himself into the sports arena whenever the spotlight allows.

This time, his target is once again the Washington Commanders – formerly known as the Redskins, a name Trump openly suggests should make a comeback.

“Want me to say something controversial? I will. I wouldn’t have changed the name,” Trump said in a recent interview from Morristown, New Jersey, reigniting a debate that the NFL and much of its fanbase had considered settled. The fact that it landed just as the confirmed Epstein list was said to have never existed, was surely not an attempt to divert some headlines.

It’s far from the first time the former president has taken aim at professional sports from his political perch, nor the first time he’s done so with a blend of nostalgia, provocation, and electoral calculation.

Redskins: a story of identity and social pressure

The name Redskins, used by Washington’s franchise from 1933 until 2020, was dropped amid the racial justice protests that erupted after the killing of George Floyd.

Trump was still in the White House during his first term when the name change became unavoidable. Corporate sponsors including Nike, Amazon and FedEx threatened to withdraw financial support unless the franchise updated its identity. Dan Snyder, then the team’s owner, eventually caved to outside pressure after years of insisting he’d never rebrand the organization.

The team played two seasons under the placeholder name Washington Football Team before settling on the Commanders in 2022. But since then, fan acceptance of the new name has been lukewarm. In 2024, however, the team had its best season in three decades, with breakout quarterback Jayden Daniels leading them all the way to the NFC Championship Game, which they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. The run rekindled local enthusiasm and gave the Commanders name a level of emotional weight it had never held before.

Still, Trump wasn’t buying into the hype. “It doesn’t sound the same anymore,” he said, though he admitted winning could change that perception. For him, the nostalgia of the old name remains stronger than the momentum of recent success.

The prospect of a name change arises just as the Commanders may need Trump’s political influence to help secure approval for a new stadium near the old RFK site. But the comment carries weight not just for what was said, but who said it: a figure whose relationship with the NFL has long been defined by clashes and confrontation.

Trump’s antagonism with the league isn’t new. In the mid-1980s, the New York businessman owned the New Jersey Generals in the now-defunct USFL – a rival league that ended up in court against the NFL. Trump was a central figure in a legal strategy that won the case in court, but effectively killed the league in practice.

As president, Trump further strained ties by attacking players who kneeled during the national anthem to protest racial violence, particularly Colin Kaepernick. His inflammatory rhetoric drew mixed reactions from team owners and cemented his image as a politician who treats sport as a battleground in the culture wars.

In February, Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl while in office.

The Washington fans’ take

Although activists welcomed the name change, a Washington Post poll conducted prior to the rebrand found that just 1 in 10 Native Americans said they were offended by the term Redskins.

Josh Harris, the Commanders’ new owner, told Special Report in April that despite plans to bring the team back to Washington, D.C., at the old RFK Stadium site, the Redskins name would not be returning.

“The Commanders name has gained incredible meaning inside our building,” Harris said.

Beyond Washington

The Commanders’ case is not unique. In recent years, several franchises have reconsidered names linked to Native American communities. The Cleveland Indians became the Guardians, while other teams – such as the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Chiefs – have opted to keep their names.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.