Washington (BN24) – The White House said Saturday that naming the new home of Washington’s NFL team after President Donald Trump would be “beautiful,” following reports that the president has expressed interest in having his name attached to the facility.
An ESPN report revealed that an intermediary had informed the Washington Commanders’ ownership group of Trump’s desire for the new stadium to bear his name. The president could make his pitch in person Sunday, when he is expected to attend the Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The game will feature a halftime ceremony honoring American veterans.
“That would surely be a beautiful name, as it was President Trump who made the rebuilding of the new stadium possible,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a statement.
The Commanders declined to comment on the report, and the office of Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser also had no response.
The $4 billion stadium project—part of a landmark redevelopment agreement between the team and the District of Columbia—will be constructed on the historic site of RFK Stadium, where the franchise played for more than 30 years and claimed three Super Bowl titles during the 1980s and 1990s.
Under the terms of the deal announced in April, the team will contribute approximately $2.7 billion, while the city will invest around $1.1 billion toward the stadium, nearby housing, green spaces, and a sports complex along the Anacostia River. The D.C. City Council approved the plan in September, and demolition of the old RFK site has already begun.
The agreement followed a significant federal move last year when President Joe Biden signed legislation transferring the RFK Stadium land from the federal government to the city, clearing the way for the massive redevelopment.
President Trump, however, briefly threatened to derail the project in July, saying he would withhold his support unless the Commanders reverted to their previous name, the Redskins—a moniker long criticized as offensive to Native Americans. Despite the controversy, Trump has remained a vocal advocate of the team returning to Washington proper.
Known for his branding ventures, Trump has a long history of placing his name on high-rise towers, hotels, golf resorts, and consumer products ranging from cologne to Bibles. The idea of “Trump Stadium,” as floated by the White House, would mark his latest effort to leave a literal imprint on American culture.
Whether the Commanders will consider naming their new stadium after the sitting president remains uncertain, but the comment from the White House signals that the administration sees such a move as both symbolic and fitting.
