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Trump demands Washington Commanders revert to racist name

The president commanded NFL owners to change Washington's team name back to a racial slur

Nights and Weekends Editor

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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders runs off the field. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders runs off the field. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump tends to give your most racist uncle his talking points, but his latest Sunday morning tirade shows that he’s willing to take some cues from the dinner-ruiners of America as well.

In a post to Truth Social, Trump called on professional sports teams to be more hidebound. He demanded that the Washington Commanders change their name back to a racial slur for Native Americans. He also asked the Cleveland Guardians to revert to their original name and (presumably) bring back one of the most cartoonishly racist mascots in American sports.

“The Washington ‘Whatever’s’ should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this. Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a storied past,” he wrote. “Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!”

Unlike his takedowns of Graydon Carter parties and sub-par television shows, you can tell Trump’s heart wasn’t actually in this rant. He accidentally combined the original name of Washington with the placeholder name that they held for several years before selecting Commanders. His demand comes shortly after former Washigton defensive lineman Jason Buck pleaded for Trump to put pressure on the team in an interview with TMZ.

“Just stand with us and stand for common sense and help us,” Buck said. “Help me bring the Redskin people back in, completely into the fold of the United States, so we can fix their system and have them enjoy the exact principles of the Constitution given to us by God and our founding fathers … Let’s, let’s make sure that our Redskin brothers that helped build this nation have the same exact opportunities and blessings.

By Alex Galbraith

Alex Galbraith is Salon's nights and weekends editor, and author of our free daily newsletter, Crash Course. He is based in New Orleans.


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