It’s not like the President to make it all about him, but Donald Trump reportedly wants his name on the Washington Commanders’ new stadium.
According to ESPN, the president hopes the team will christen its future home Trump Stadium. The Commanders plan to start building on the site of the old RFK Memorial complex in Washington, D.C.
ESPN published the report a day after Trump attended the Commanders’ 31-27 loss to the Detroit Lions in Landover, where sections of the crowd loudly booed him.
‘A beautiful name’
Asked about the report, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the idea “a beautiful name.” According to Leavitt, Trump “made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible.”
That may be generous. The D.C. Council approved the $3.7 billion redevelopment in September after months of wrangling, with the Commanders planning to demolish RFK and replace it with a modern venue by 2030.
The president has long had opinions about the franchise. Back in July, Donald Trump told reporters he was “looking at the deal” and happy to help if needed, though he stopped short of demanding the Washington Commanders’ new stadium be named after him.
Redskins nostalgia
Before his latest request, Trump had already reignited debate over the team’s identity.
He said earlier this year that the club should revert to its old name, insisting “it doesn’t have the same ring” since dropping Redskins in 2020.
“The Indians don’t know why these names are being taken off,” he said in April. “I think it’s degrading to the Indian population.”
The Commanders, formerly the Washington Football Team, rebranded in 2022 after two seasons under the temporary title.
Sunday’s appearance at Northwest Stadium and the crowd’s mixed reaction came just 24 hours before the latest round of self-promotion.
Even by Trump standards, asking a struggling NFL team to name its new home after him takes confidence.
