Donald Trump Reportedly Wants Washington Commanders’ New Stadium Named After Him
Published: November 10, 2025
By: Meredith Kile (Rewritten & SEO-Optimized)
President Donald Trump reportedly wants the Washington Commanders to name their new stadium in Washington, D.C. after him, according to an ESPN report released Monday, Nov. 10.
The news comes just a day after Trump attended the Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, alongside Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
According to White House insiders cited by ESPN, Trump “hopes to be the namesake” of the new venue that will replace the defunct RFK Memorial Stadium, once the home of Washington’s NFL team.
After months of negotiation, the D.C. Council voted on Sept. 17 to approve the team’s plan to demolish RFK Memorial Stadium and build a state-of-the-art facility on the same historic site along the Anacostia River.
When PEOPLE reached out for comment, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said:
“That would surely be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible.”
Trump’s Role in the Stadium Deal
In July, Trump expressed interest in the Commanders’ stalled $3.7 billion stadium project, saying he was open to helping move it forward.
“We’ll see what happens,” Trump said at the time. “It’s a very important piece of property. If I can help them out, I would.”
While the stadium’s construction has received mixed reactions, Trump’s latest wish — to have it bear his name — is stirring new controversy in Washington sports and political circles alike.
Trump Still Prefers the Redskins Name
During the same July discussion, Trump also reignited debate around the team’s name change. He stated he preferred the old “Redskins” name, calling it a “superior” and “heritage-rich” title compared to “Commanders.”
“I wouldn’t have changed the name. It doesn’t have the same ring to me,” Trump told reporters.
“The Indians don’t know why these names are being taken off. I think it’s degrading to the Indian population.”
The Commanders franchise, originally founded as the Boston Braves in 1932, was renamed the Boston Redskins the following year and became the Washington Redskins in 1937.
In 2020, amid racial justice protests, the team dropped the Redskins name, rebranding first as the Washington Football Team and later as the Washington Commanders in 2022.
Public Reaction and Stadium Future
Trump’s reported push for naming rights follows his appearance at Sunday’s game, where he was greeted by both boos and cheers from fans.
