The Washington Commanders are planning to build a new $3.6 billion stadium on the old RFK Stadium site. That site previously served as the team’s home from 1961 to 1996. According to a report from ESPN, President Donald Trump wants the Commanders to name the stadium after him. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on Trump’s desires via email on Friday night.
“That would be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible. It’s what the president wants, and it will probably happen.”
While Leavitt is confident the President will get what he wants, that is not clear yet. The Commanders are yet to comment on it, with the team declining to comment on Saturday.
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. pic.twitter.com/LSu86wehGg
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 8, 2025
This news led to a big reaction from fans on X.
“Holy clown,” one fan wrote.
“My co-worker is a huge commanders fan and I think it should be named after him,” one fan commented.
“This reminds me of people who tell everyone it’s their birthday so people say happy birthday to them,” one fan added.
Fans continued to react on X.
“Hear me out. If he get rid of turf fields across the league he will have support from the players lol,” one fan wrote.
“We just got new ownership and finally are getting our new stadium at the old RFK site. Now you want to go ahead and ruin it? This isn’t about you at all. Guys a narcissist,” one fan commented.
“Why on earth would they want to do that,” one fan added.
Neither Donald Trump nor the Washington Commanders has the Sole Right to Name the Team
While Donald Trump wants the Washington Commanders to name their new arena after him, he does not have the authority to force them to do it. The Commanders do not even have the authority to name the team on their own.
The District of Columbia Council will lease the stadium to the Commanders because it will be built on federal government land. As a result, the Commanders will need to have the name they choose approved. Additionally, while Trump has influence as the President, the stadium is scheduled to be completed in 2030, by which time he will no longer be in office.
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