Trump Mocked for Washington Redskins Crusade After Dismissing Controversy Back in 2013: ‘Our Country Has Far Bigger Problems!’

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

President Donald Trump once criticized the government for getting involved in the naming of Washington’s NFL team — much like he is doing now.

On Sunday, Trump revealed on Truth Social that he was considering putting a “restriction” on the Washington Commanders if the organization did not change its name back to the Washington Redskins. The president called the new name a “ridiculous moniker” and even threatened to prevent the team from building a new stadium in the nation’s capital.

In May 2024, RFK Stadium was officially approved for demolition — helping to clear the path for the construction of a new stadium at the site. The stadium was the home venue for the Redskins until the team moved to Landover, Maryland in 1997. The team has been there since, but new ownership has made clear its intentions to return to Washington, D.C.

Although the land is owned by the federal government, Trump previously said he’d try to accommodate the team’s move.

“The Team would be much more valuable, and the Deal would be more exciting for everyone,” Trump said in the post.

Back in 2013, however, Trump called out the then-President Barack Obama for his involvement in the naming controversy.

“President should not be telling the Washington Redskins to change their name,” Trump said in a tweet. “Our country has far bigger problems! FOCUS on them, not nonsense.”

It was widely shared on X/Twitter on Monday morning.

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