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President Donald Trump reportedly wants the Washington Commanders’ upcoming stadium in the nation’s capital to be named after him.
ESPN’s report came a day after the White House announced that Trump would attend Sunday’s Commanders game against the Detroit Lions and honor military veterans at halftime.
The White House did not confirm the report to Pakinomist Digital, but in a statement press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “It would certainly be a beautiful name since it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible.”
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The domed stadium, which will be built on the site of RFK Stadium, will cost $3.7 billion. ESPN reported that there has been “back-channel communication” with Josh Harris and other Commanders owners.
“That’s what the president wants and it’s likely to happen,” a White House official told ESPN.
A source with the team told ESPN that there have been no formal discussions, but talks are expected. The stadium name will likely be decided by the District of Columbia Council and the National Park Service.
Trump found himself at loggerheads with the Commanders organization earlier this year, threatening to halt the team’s plans to build a new stadium in the nation’s capital if they didn’t bring back their old “Redskins” moniker.
An image of a Washington Redskins helmet and logo before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. (Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)
TRUMP TO COMMANDER’S GAME AGAINST LIONS TO HONOR MILITARY VETERANS
“My statement about the Washington Redskins is totally blown, but only in a very positive way,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “I can put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original ‘Washington Redskins’ and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, ‘Washington Commanders,’ I will not make a deal for them to build a stadium in Washington. The team would be much more valuable and the deal would be more exciting for everyone.”
Trump also called the commanders “Washington ‘Whatever’s,'” adding that the Cleveland Guardians should do the same.
“Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is being systematically 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 OUT!!!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post at the time.
Harris joined Trump, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the Oval Office when the deal for the RFK Stadium site was announced.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump attends a game between the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets in Latrobe, Pennsylvania on October 20, 2024. (Evan Vucci-Pool/Getty Images)
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Sunday will mark the first NFL game Trump has attended this season. He was at Super Bowl LIX, which the Philadelphia Eagles won over the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.
“We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country. The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, which recognizes the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active duty service members and their families,” said in a statement this Sunday.
