It seemed a little odd that President Donald Trump decided to attend a Washington Commanders home game this week as they hosted the Detroit Lions. The government is currently in the second month of a shutdown, and Trump’s approval ratings are tanking. But now, we may know what’s really behind the move.
On Friday, Trump’s White House announced his weekend plans through Pat McAfee, who was able to share the news exclusively on his ESPN show. Then, on Saturday, ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. and Adam Schefter reported that Trump wants the new Washington Commanders stadium planned for Washington, DC, to be named after him.
The previous Commanders stadium in DC was named after Robert F. Kennedy Sr., whose son is currently Trump’s vaccine-denying head of Health and Human Services. Instead of denying the report, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and a White House source made it clear to ESPN that they expect the naming to happen.
President Donald Trump wants the Washington Commanders to name their planned $3.7 billion stadium after him, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN. A senior White House source revealed there have been back-channel communications with a member of the Commanders’ ownership group, led by Josh Harris, to express Trump’s desire for the domed stadium in the nation’s capital to bear his name.
The new stadium is being built on the old RFK Stadium site, which served as the team’s home from 1961 to 1996. While Leavitt declined to answer additional questions, the senior White House source told ESPN: “It’s what the president wants, and it will probably happen.”
This request is actually modest compared to some of Trump’s previous ambitions, such as his infamous demolition of parts of the White House to add a ballroom, his persistent campaign to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and his desire to have his likeness carved into Mount Rushmore.
Interestingly, instead of pursuing a typical naming rights deal tied to the Trump brand, it is reportedly expected that the stadium naming would be done as a tribute to honor Trump and “all of his Trumpiness.”
Donald Trump has made several appearances at sporting events during his second term in office. However, none of these visits had been immediately linked to an effort to secure a stadium named after him—until now.
Trump’s expansive executive power in Washington and beyond continues to be tested by the day. But according to ESPN, the ultimate decision on the stadium’s name will rest with the DC City Council and the National Park Service.
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