President Trump puts Commanders' new stadium deal in jeopardy

Donald Trump is pressuring the team's owners to revert the name to the Redskins, threatening to block their new stadium deal if they refuse to comply.

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris stands on the field prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

President Donald Trump has been putting pressure on Washington Commanders owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer to revert the team’s name to the Redskins or risk jeopardizing their proposed $3.7 billion stadium deal.

In recent weeks, Trump has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the Commanders calling their name a “ridiculous moniker” and threatening to block the stadium deal if the team doesn’t return to its former identity.

Although the new stadium deal doesn’t directly involve federal funding and is backed by D.C. officials, it still requires approvals from federal agencies like the National Capital Planning Commission and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, some of which include Trump-appointed members.

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris in attendance of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

According to the New York Post, sources close to Harris and Blitzer say the owners are concerned Trump’s influence could stall the stadium project. Publicly, the team has insisted that the Commanders' name is here to stay. Still, behind the scenes, they’re reportedly evaluating just how much Trump could interfere politically, mainly since the RFK Stadium site is located on federally leased land.

Trump’s anti-woke rhetoric resonates not only with his political base but also with much of the NFL’s fan base. If he chooses to frame Harris and Blitzer as out-of-touch owners who are unwilling to listen, it could harm the team’s public image and fan support.

Former team owner Dan Snyder renamed the franchise in 2020 amid rising social justice activism. However, insiders now suggest that the new ownership may need to politically appease Trump. As the name change saga continues, all eyes are on how this will unfold.

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