The White House recently expressed that it would be “beautiful” if the Washington Commanders named their future stadium in Washington, D.C., after former President Donald Trump. This comment followed reports of informal discussions between the White House and the Commanders’ ownership group regarding the potential naming.
White House Comments on Commanders Stadium Naming
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that it would indeed be a “beautiful name,” attributing the possibility of the new stadium to Trump’s efforts in redevelopment. The Commanders, currently playing at Northwest Stadium—previously known as FedEx Field—have called Landover, Maryland, home since 1997.
History of the Commanders Stadiums
The Washington Commanders have a notable history with stadium locations:
- 1961-1996: The team played at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.
- 1997-Present: The Commanders have been based at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
In April, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced plans to return the team to the site of the former RFK Stadium, which was approved by the D.C. Council in September. However, Trump previously indicated he would intervene unless the team reverted to its former name, the “Redskins.”
Name Change Controversy
The Commanders dropped the “Redskins” name in 2020 following significant backlash from Native American groups, who criticized it as derogatory. This change marked a pivotal moment in the franchise’s history.
Future Plans for the Stadium
Josh Harris, the leader of the Commanders’ ownership group, mentioned plans for a stadium opening by 2030. Meanwhile, Bowser’s office has not commented on the possibility of naming the venue after Trump.
As part of his schedule, Trump is expected to attend the Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium this Sunday. The former president has attended various sporting events during his second term, including UFC matches and major college football games.
