President Trump tweets support of Redskins, Indians names
Amid speculation that the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians could soon change their names, President Donald Trump tweeted his backing of those franchise monikers on Monday.
Last Thursday, FedEx, which sponsors Washington's football stadium, announced that it formally requested that the Redskins change their name. Meanwhile, long-time Indians reporter Terry Pluto told Cleveland sports radio station 92.3 The Fan on Monday he feels it's "guaranteed" the team changes its name following the protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd on May 25.
President Trump touched upon the subject via his Twitter account:
"They name teams out of STRENGTH, not weakness, but now the Washington Redskins & Cleveland Indians, two fabled sports franchises, look like they are going to be changing their names in order to be politically correct. Indians, like Elizabeth Warren, must be very angry right now!" President Trump wrote.
Cleveland All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor backed a name change while speaking with Zack Meisel of The Athletic. "Society is shifting and we're due for some change," Lindor said.
Neither the Indians nor Redskins responded to President Trump as of Monday afternoon. Both have, however, recently suggested that changes are imminent:
More must-reads: