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President Donald Trump reportedly wants the Washington Commanders’ upcoming stadium in the nation’s capital to be named after him.
The ESPN 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 Pak Gazette Digital, but in a statement, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “It would surely be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the reconstruction of the new stadium possible.”
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The domed stadium, to be built on the site of RFK Stadium, will cost $3.7 billion. ESPN reported that there have been “backchannel communications” with Josh Harris and other Commanders owners.
“It’s what the president wants and it’s probably going to happen,” a White House official told ESPN.
A team source told ESPN that there have been no formal discussions, but talks are anticipated. The name of the stadium will likely be determined by the Council of the District of Columbia and the National Park Service.
Trump found himself in a quandary 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 did not reclaim their old “Redskins” nickname.
A view 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 ATTEND COMMANDERS VS. LIONS GAME TO HONOR MILITARY VETERANS
“My statement about the Washington Redskins has completely blown up, 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 ‘Washington Commanders’ nickname, I won’t 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’s ‘whatevers'” and added that the Cleveland Guardians should do the same.
“Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. They are being systematically stripped of their heritage and prestige. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, DO IT!!!” 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’s 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 be the first NFL game Trump will attend this season. He was in Super Bowl LIX, which the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.
“We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game while celebrating 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, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active duty service members and their families this Sunday,” the Commanders said in a statement.
