Latest news with #AmericanIndian
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Historical Horse Racing machines key to the sport's future in California are in peril
California horse racing, struggling to stay afloat, got a stark reminder how uphill its battle is to add a new form of supplemental income this month when state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta ruled against daily fantasy sweepstakes. The decision underscored the power of Indigenous tribes when it comes to gambling in California. Bonta's ruling upholding tribal sovereignty, in conjunction with rare public comments from an influential tribal leader, puts the idea of Southern California getting Historical Horse Racing machines to bolster purses in worse shape. The sport has been in decline nationally. Dwindling foal crops, shrinking purses and a stagnant and aging fan base has pointed to California racing being on the edge of extinction. Mutuel handle, the amount of money bet, at Santa Anita this past meeting was marginally up mostly because the track's parent company killed its northern California track, Golden Gate Fields, and the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) in conjunction with the Thoroughbred Owners of California, facilitated the end of fair racing in Northern California. The idea was that the money normally bet in Northern California, or acquired through simulcast wagering, would then be redirected to the south, so that Santa Anita and Del Mar could increase its daily purses. The solution to these problems was identified a few years ago: The sport needs to get Historical Horse Racing, which looks, feels and sounds like a slot machine, so that revenue generated by the machines could be put into purses that would attract more trainers and owners to California. The question everyone keeps asking is: What is the industry doing to get Historical Horse Racing? In February, The Times outlined five pathways to adding Historical Horse Racing in California. Now only one or two seem viable. The group that is running point on adding the machines is made up of former CHRB chair and Santa Anita official Keith Brackpool, now a consultant; Aidan Butler, president of 1/ST Racing, also known as The Stronach Group (TSG); Scott Daruty, a senior executive at TSG; Josh Rubinstein, president of the Del Mar Turf Club; and Bill Nader, president and chief executive of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. The options earlier this year were: work a deal with the tribes; roll out a limited number of machines at the tracks and ask for permission later; install up to 1,000 machines at the tracks without permission; seek legislative or ballot initiative help; or negotiate with a single tribe instead of all of them. The tribal nation's control of California gaming is solid both legally and culturally. In 1988, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and ceded all authority over gaming on tribal lands to the states in which they reside. California passed laws that allowed only five types of gambling: American Indian casinos, which are allowed to have Las Vegas-style table games (except roulette) and slot machines; card clubs; charitable gambling (church bingo); the state lottery and pari-mutuel wagering connected to horse racing. In 2000, voters passed Proposition 1A, which exclusively gave the right to use slot machines to the tribes. In 2004, a state ballot initiative that would have allowed the expansion of non-tribal gambling was defeated 84% to 16%. And Bonta ruled against daily fantasy sweepstakes, reiterating the state's position on gaming. 'While the California Nations [Indian] Gaming Assn. commends Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta for standing up for the rule of law in California, it is also very clear that California has long turned a blind eye to illegal gambling — at the direct expense of tribal governments,' association chairman James Siva said. 'Untold millions if not billions have been illegally wagered over the past decade. Where is the enforcement? Where is the accountability?' This is not the ideal moment for the tracks and tribes to work out a deal. 'The chances of horse racing ramming something past the tribes is slim and none,' said Victor Rocha, conference chair of the Indian Gaming Assn. Rocha spoke to The Times as owner and publisher of a website designed to give tribal members the latest news on politics and gaming, rather than as chair of the IGA because the IGA has a separate spokesperson. 'There are times that we work together [with the tracks,] but then there are groups like The Stronach Group who try and push things through, which is the definition of a fool's errand,' Rocha said. 'Let's just say they are very ambitious,' he said. 'But I would say they don't have enough juice or enough power. They don't have enough people who care. The average age of a horse player is decomposing. This would be a desperate act by a desperate company.' The Stronach Group did not respond to The Times' requests for comment. There were no responses to multiple requests to interview Brackpool, Daruty and the attorney general. Rocha questions the value of negotiating with horse racing leaders. 'The whole argument that [Historical Horse Racing machines] will save horse racing is false,' Rocha said. 'The only thing that can save horse racing is the second coming. Can anything save horse racing? The answer is no. If you look across the country and the modern day racino [a casino and race track with shared financial interest on the same property], you see it's not about the horses. It's about the bottom line of the owners. 'It is a dying industry. They are going to have to get a ballot initiative or go through the tribes. The tribes have exclusivity for Class 3 gaming in California. And we will protect our exclusivity. The attitude is, if they go down that path [without us,] there will be a fight.' Historical Horse Racing machines are generally set up with an 8% takeout, the money that is kept by the operators and not returned to the bettors. Rocha was asked about a scenario in which 1% goes to the California breeders, 3% to racing purses and the tribes keep the remaining 4%. 'I don't know if there is a deal to be made,' Rocha replied. Adding to the frustration of the horsemen and horse players is the lack of information coming from the tracks on how they plan to address this issue and secure their future. Rocha, who checked with others in tribal groups before answering the question, said he is unaware of any contact between the tribes and the group put together to secure Historical Horse Racing. His account conflicts with what Butler, president of The Stronach Group, told The Times in May. 'I believe there are a lot of ongoing talks with industry partners,' Butler said. He added there have been conversations with a few of the tribes about the issue. Butler attributed the lack of information coming out of his working group to the sensitivity of the topic. 'You can't litigate or negotiate in the media,' Butler said. 'Some of the these are very, very delicate. You've got casinos, you've got tribal interests, you've got big gaming interests. Anything you do has to be so tactfully thought through. You'd love to say we're doing this or we're doing that, but the bottom line is anytime you put a statement out there, it's dangerous to the overall strategy. Context is everything. You don't want to say anything that a potential future partner or non-partner could get the wrong idea.' The Times talked to almost two dozen people working in the horse racing industry in search of more details about the group's actions, and none could provide insight. All members of the working group have signed a nondisclosure agreement. The CHRB is not involved in the discussions but would be the regulator that oversees Historical Horse Racing should it ever come to fruition. A little talked about option would be for a track to put forth an agenda item about adding the machines, and the CHRB could mostly rubber stamp it. In 1983, state Atty. Gen. John K. Van de Kamp, who went on to lead the Thoroughbred Owners of California, issued an opinion that said: 'The Legislature's delegation of authority to the Board covering all aspects of horseracing has been upheld by the Supreme Court.' The opinion referenced was the 1961 Supreme Court decision in the Flores vs. Los Angeles Turf Club. At issue was not HHR, which hadn't been invented, but the ability of tracks to offer horizontal wagers such as the Pick Six and not have it viewed as a 'sweepstakes,' which would not be legal. 'I think given this opinion, [the CHRB could authorize it] if it is done right,' said I. Nelson Rose, a professor, attorney and author considered one of the world's leading experts on gambling and gambling law. 'One provision is you would have to have a race meet taking place and a few other technicalities. Politically, that's really going to be difficult because the tribes have such power in the Legislature. They've got huge power. 'The tracks just can't compete politically with the tribes,' he said.' But they do have enough political juice to keep the tribes from getting some things they may want.' The CHRB recently stirred the hornet's nest of adding Historical Horse Racing. In November, CHRB Chairman Greg Ferraro told the New York Times that he expected Historical Horse Racing machines to be in California race tracks in the near future. Nine months later, the only Historical Horse Racing machines that were rolled out were on the third floor grandstand at Santa Anita, but not usable by the public. The Times asked Butler about it at the time. He then ordered the machines to be shut off and put back in storage. 'The Northern California contraction has taken an inordinate amount of time and resources, but with that behind us some effort for purse supplements could start up again,' said Scott Chaney, executive director of the CHRB. 'The CHRB is very much in favor of a purse supplement and will aid in seeking that.' Chaney would not talk about Historical Horse Racing, only the need for supplementing purses. 'We would need a few more regulations in place,' he said. 'It's a lot more complicated than just putting machines in. There is a lot of regulation no one wants to talk about.' There could be another problem. Brackpool, who came to California after pleading guilty to criminal charges relating to securities trading in Britain, headed a group called Cadiz, which wanted to mine the water under the Mojave Desert and sell it to Los Angeles water interests. The leaders of the Chemehuevi tribe, or Nuwu, opposed the project because of the aquifer's potential connection to Bonanza Spring. The spring is part of the Nuwuvi Salt Song Trail, which is considered an ancient ceremonial loop in the desert. The Salt Songs are considered sacred and are used at many ceremonies to celebrate cultural revitalization and spiritual bond. Brackpool and his company were viewed as opposing the tribes. 'If the guy comes in with baggage and if they think they want an Indian fighter, then they will get an Indian fight,' Rocha said. 'Make that a failed Indian fighter. Bring him on. ... The tribes are undefeated for 25 years.' The Stronach Group and Del Mar also opposed the tribes during a meeting with Bonta in Sacramento late last year during which they asked the attorney general to oppose the tribes and get on board for Historical Horse Racing. It didn't happen. Bonta's office previously met with Kentucky operators to try to find out if there was a legal path for Historical Horse Racing machines. His office concluded that the machines were not legal under California law, according to a person with knowledge of the meetings not authorized to speak publicly about it because of the sensitivity of the matter. Others support Rocha's contention that horse racing needs more than Historical Horse Racing to survive. 'The problem is we don't have enough bettors, enough gambling dollars going into racing,' said Marshall Gramm, chair of the economics department at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., where he teaches a class on the economics of gambling. He is also a horse owner and gambler. 'If the current economic model is that we need outside revenue, then it is unsustainable. [People could ask] if racing is supported [by state subsidies], why isn't that money going to the local mill that is closing. 'I'm very worried about The Stronach Group's commitment to racing overall,' he said. 'Is there going to be someone to fill their void if they leave the business? TSG is extremely unpredictable. Tomorrow they could do something great for racing or they could do nothing. 'I would love see racing in a position of surviving without external sources of revenue.' Racing could pull a last-minute rabbit out of its hat. But it has to start with conversations with those who can help the sport. The idea of negotiating with just one tribe is still on the table, although it would likely cause problems with the other tribes. 'Even if they make a deal with one tribe, it better be the right deal,' Rocha said. 'The tribes see it as the camel's nose under the tent. 'The way to get it done is through the [attorney general]. It's the state of California that decides,' he said. 'If it's illegal, the tribes will take it to court. It took pressure from the tribes to get Bonta to make his [latest] ruling. The tribes are very protective of their exclusivity.' Most people interviewed for this article said the outlook for adding Historical Horse Racing machines in California is grim. 'The race tracks' influence is declining, but they have 70 years of history with the state legislature,' said Rose, the gambling expert. '[The state] doesn't really care about the industries, but they do care about the taxes.'
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Trump wants to ‘Make Indians Great Again' — by bringing back slurs to a school gymnasium near you
In 2014, a group of Native parents, including myself, launched the #NotYourMascot hashtag the night before the Super Bowl. Despite our minority status, representing barely 1.5% of the U.S. population, we were determined to find a way to be heard in the (relatively) new public square of social media. No, the Washington NFL team was not playing. But the Super Bowl was the most opportune moment to get our message out. We informed only our closest associates and a select few Twitter accounts with large followings about our plan — and treated our new hashtag like a state secret, afraid it would get swamped by an army of bots. We devised a list of ready-made tweets to educate the general public about the harm caused by Native mascotry to the most vulnerable population in America — Native Americans have the highest suicide, poverty, murder and rape rates in the country. The plan worked. 'Not Your Mascot' immediately trended — a powerful testament to the impact of collective action. It was probably the first American Indian hashtag to trend in the United States. Now, nearly 12 years later, the president of the United States is trying to undo our work. It's safe to say he did not read any of our tweets. On July 20, President Donald Trump posted on social media: 'The Washington 'Whatever's' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team.' The leader of the free world then threatened to derail the team's return to the Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington, D.C., after three decades in Maryland. The Commanders' owners are negotiating a nearly $4 billion deal with the D.C. City Council to make the move in 2030. 'I may put a restriction on them,' the president wrote, 'that if they don't change the name back to the original 'Washington Redskins,' and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, 'Washington Commanders,' I won't make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington…Cleveland should do the same with the Cleveland Indians.' Trump may have written 'The Art of the Deal,' but if he had read our 140-character talking points, he would know that an Emory University study found that teams with American Indian mascots were off-putting to fans and the franchises were worth less than they would be without a race-based mascot. Suzan Harjo, a Cheyenne elder who began suing the franchise in 1992, challenging the former owner Dan Snyder's trademarking of the slur 'R*dskins,' noted in her response to Trump that the 'Harjo curse' (the team's poor performance began the year she started her lawsuit) was only lifted after the team changed its name. 'It's a good example of how long it takes to shake really bad karma.' Commanders managing partner Josh Harris had this to say in February: 'Now, in this building, the name Commanders means something. It's about players who love football, are great at football, hit hard, mentally tough, great teammates.' Even the Washington Post, which conducted a flawed survey in 2016 that showed support for the former name (I addressed this in an article in The Nation at the time), found that its most recent survey showed 62% of fans prefer the new name following the team's most successful season in decades. That, of course, should be that. But Trump's involvement in the mascot controversy goes beyond his recent social media posts or potential distractions from Jeffrey Epstein. In May, Trump's secretary of education, Linda McMahon, announced on a visit to Massapequa High School on Long Island, N.Y., that the state could lose federal funding if they do not allow Native mascots. In June, her department announced that its investigation into the New York Department of Education and the New York State Board of Regents' ban on 'mascots and logos that celebrate Native American history' was being handed over to the Department of Justice for enforcement. Under Trump, the department's civil rights office found the state ban discriminatory because mascotting other racial/ethnic groups, like 'Dutchmen' and the 'Huguenots,' is still allowed. After arguing with R*dskins trolls online in 2013-2014, I am familiar with this view. We'd often hear, 'What about the Vikings or 'Fighting Irish'?' Well, Vikings don't exist anymore, and going 'a Viking' was an activity, a job like being an oiler or packer. And it is not the sole way we know these groups. For so many Americans, American Indians are no more than the stereotypes demonstrated at games: Tomahawk chops and Pocahottie outfits. White Americans, even descendants of Vikings, the Irish, Dutch, and Huguenots, are allowed an individuality that cannot be diminished by obnoxious stereotypes promoted by the mascotry of their ancestors. 'The Trump administration will not stand idly by as state leaders attempt to eliminate the history and culture of Native American tribes,' McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, assured Massapequa High School students, parents and alumni. The school is refusing to comply with New York state law and eliminate its Native American mascot. After Trump's post on July 20, Kerry Wachter, the school board president of Massapequa, asked the president to sign an executive order allowing the school to retain its mascot. She claimed that banning mascots of Native people 'would erase this heritage, tear down this history and silence this legacy' in her Long Island town, which is 92.3% white, according to the U.S. Census. Massapequa says it would cost the school $1 million to change its mascot. One million invested in a mascot? If true, that certainly informs you about the types of resources being dubiously invested in the American educational system. Money that would be better spent on genuine education and assistance to poor reservation schools. Even to tribal colleges, many of which have had their budgets practically cut to zero by Trump. As we tweeted years ago, studies show that Native youth exposed to Native mascots have lower self-esteem. Not only that, but their ability to imagine themselves achieving their dreams decreases. And this is because, confronted with the dominant society's inability to see them as human and not a mascot, they retreat from the world and no longer have confidence in being a place where they can thrive. That's why, as Native parents, NotYourMascot sought to educate through tweets. That's why we chose Not Your Mascot, which was an improvement on Change the Name, an earlier messaging effort. We were taking our identity back for ourselves — and we were encouraging Americans of all backgrounds to engage with real Native people, cultures and lives, not mascots. Jacqueline Keeler is a Diné/Dakota writer living in Portland, Ore., and the author of 'Standing Rock, the Bundy Movement, and the American Story of Sacred Lands.'
Malaysian Reserve
24-07-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
New ASTHO Legal Map Illuminates State and Territorial Suicide Prevention Infrastructure
ARLINGTON, Va., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), in partnership with Temple University and with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), today announced the release of a new interactive resource, Legal Mapping of State and Territorial Infrastructure to Prevent Suicides. The tool visualizes state and territorial laws, as of January 1, 2025, related to suicide prevention commissions, offices, and fatality review processes, providing invaluable insights for strengthening prevention efforts nationwide. Suicide remains a significant public health crisis, ranking as the second-leading cause of death for individuals ages 10-34 in 2023, with over 49,000 suicides occurring across all age groups that year. Certain populations experience disproportionately higher rates of suicide, including those in rural areas, older adults, American Indian or Alaska Native individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans. 'Understanding the variability of legal frameworks for suicide prevention infrastructure across jurisdictions can help leaders identify ways they might strengthen their own work,' says Joseph Kanter, MD, MPH, ASTHO CEO. 'These new legal maps help jurisdictions examine the national landscape of policies, enable health agencies to pinpoint gaps, replicate best practices, and strategically implement evidence-based interventions tailored to their communities' unique needs. Strong, legally supported infrastructure is paramount to sustaining prevention efforts, especially amid evolving funding landscapes.' The interactive resource allows users to explore various aspects of state and territorial suicide prevention infrastructure, including: The establishment of suicide prevention offices or coordinators The existence of population-focused suicide prevention groups or taskforces The establishment and scope of committees or bodies that review suicide fatalities, including data collection on suicide attempts and information sharing requirements Key findings regarding the legal landscape of state-level infrastructure as of January 1, 2025: Twelve jurisdictions had laws establishing a suicide prevention office or coordinator, with eight of these offices located within health departments Twelve jurisdictions have laws establishing suicide prevention task forces, commissions, or other advisory bodies Thirty jurisdictions had a law establishing a committee, body, or other review process for some portion of suicide fatalities On July 30, ASTHO is hosting a webinar focused on the new resource. Register here: State and Territorial Infrastructure for Suicide Prevention: Exploring New Legal Maps. ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. territories and freely associated states, and Washington, D.C., as well as the more than 100,000 public health professionals these agencies employ. ASTHO members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy and to ensuring excellence in public health practice.
Vancouver Sun
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Trump wants NFL's Commanders to revert to Redskins, threatens Washington D.C. stadium deal
Drop Commanders and 'immediately' revert the name of Washington's NFL team to Redskins or face holdups in a bid to build a new stadium in D.C., U.S. President Donald Trump threatened the team's ownership on Sunday. In the same Truth Social post, he also urged the owners of MLB's Cleveland Guardians to restore the club's name of more than 100 years, the Indians, saying he's heard 'a big clamouring' for both name changes. Both clubs have used their current monikers since their respective 2022 seasons, having elected to abandon terms and branding that were offensive to Native American people. Redskin, in particular, is considered 'an insulting and contemptuous term for an American Indian,' as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'Times are different now' On Sunday morning, Trump first said that the 'Washington 'Whatever's'' and Cleveland should act swiftly and return to their former branding because the country's 'great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen.' ( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post ) ( Donald J. Trump - Jul 20, 2025, 10:17 AM ET ) The Washington 'Whatever's' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this. Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the… 'Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense,' he wrote, adding, 'Owners, get it done!' In the post, Trump incorrectly referred to Cleveland as home to one of the six original baseball teams. While Cleveland did have a team in the early days of the National League, before the MLB was formed in 1902, it came after the original eight-team circuit debuted in 1876. When Cleveland joined the American League in 1900, they were known as the Lakeshores, before becoming the Naps in 1902, in honour of player-manager Napoleon 'Nap' Lajoie. After his departure in 1914, club owner Charles Somers asked local sports scribes to help him rename the team, and they chose Indians. Trump muses, council debates After his earlier thought had 'totally blown up, but only in a very positive way,' Trump later hinted that he may insert himself into the ongoing process for the club to secure a new stadium at the site of RFK Stadium, its former home of three-plus decades. 'I may put a restriction on them that if they don't change the name back to the original 'Washington Redskins,' and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, 'Washington Commanders,' I won't make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington,' he posted. 'The Team would be much more valuable, and the Deal would be more exciting for everyone.' ( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post ) ( Donald J. Trump - Jul 20, 2025, 3:35 PM ET ) My statement on the Washington Redskins has totally blown up, but only in a very positive way. I may put a restriction on them that if they don't change the name back to the original… Trump also made the name change suggestion while speaking to reporters earlier this month, according to CNN , saying it doesn't have the 'same ring' to him. It's not immediately clear how much executive authority Trump could exert over 'the deal.' The land in question was transferred from the National Park Service to the District of Columbia by way of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act , which passed in December and was signed into law by former president Joe Biden two weeks before Trump's inauguration. It lets D.C. — which has a mayor and council running the day-to-day, but whose money is controlled by Congress — redevelop the land for a stadium and a host of other purposes, including housing, public facilities and green space. In late April, the franchise and D.C. came to terms on a deal to build a new stadium as part of a US$4 billion project funded mostly by the team ($2.7 billion), with the district adding at least $1.1 billion by 2032, per the Associated Press . 'The ball is the council's court to approve the agreement,' Mayor Muriel Bowser said when questioned about the project during a media availability last week . 'The Commanders are anxious. The council has to make moves, that's what has to happen.' Public testimony hearings for the redevelopment plan begin next week. The name of the game Trump ended his follow-up post by again suggesting Cleveland start using its old name, suggesting it would help the federal political career of former Ohio state senator Matt Dolan, whom Trump labelled as the Guardians' owner. Dolan, a non-Trump-backing Republican who ran and lost two bids for the U.S. Senate, is part of the Dolan family that is the team's primary owner, but he hasn't been directly involved in operations since before entering state politics in 2016. 'Matt Dolan, who is very political, has lost three Elections in a row because of that ridiculous name change. What he doesn't understand is that if he changed the name back to the Cleveland Indians, he might actually win an Election,' Trump wrote. 'Indians are being treated very unfairly. Make Indians Great Again (MIGA)!' Guardians' president of baseball operations, Chris Antonetti, indicated before a game on Sunday afternoon that the organization has no plans to revisit the name change. 'We understand there are different perspectives on the decision we made a few years ago, but obviously it's a decision we made. We've got the opportunity to build a brand as the Guardians over the last four years and are excited about the future that's in front of us,' he said, per AP . As reported by the Washington Post , Commanders owner Josh Harris said much the same this February when asked about switching back. 'It's now being embraced by our team, by our culture, by our coaching staff,' Harris said. 'We're going with that. Now, in this building, the name Commanders means something.' National Post has contacted the Commanders, Bowser's office and the Guardians for comment. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Trump wants NFL's Commanders to revert to Redskins, threatens Washington D.C. stadium deal
Article content Drop Commanders and 'immediately' revert the name of Washington's NFL team to Redskins or face holdups in a bid to build a new stadium in D.C., U.S. President Donald Trump threatened the team's ownership on Sunday. Article content In the same Truth Social post, he also urged the owners of MLB's Cleveland Guardians to restore the club's name of more than 100 years, the Indians, saying he's heard 'a big clamouring' for both name changes. Article content Article content Article content Both clubs have used their current monikers since their respective 2022 seasons, having elected to abandon terms and branding that were offensive to Native American people. Redskin, in particular, is considered 'an insulting and contemptuous term for an American Indian,' as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Article content On Sunday morning, Trump first said that the 'Washington 'Whatever's'' and Cleveland should act swiftly and return to their former branding because the country's 'great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen.' Article content ( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post ) ( Donald J. Trump - Jul 20, 2025, 10:17 AM ET ) The Washington 'Whatever's' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this. Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the… — Fan Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) July 20, 2025 Article content Article content 'Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense,' he wrote, adding, 'Owners, get it done!' Article content Article content In the post, Trump incorrectly referred to Cleveland as home to one of the six original baseball teams. While Cleveland did have a team in the early days of the National League, before the MLB was formed in 1902, it came after the original eight-team circuit debuted in 1876. Article content When Cleveland joined the American League in 1900, they were known as the Lakeshores, before becoming the Naps in 1902, in honour of player-manager Napoleon 'Nap' Lajoie. After his departure in 1914, club owner Charles Somers asked local sports scribes to help him rename the team, and they chose Indians. Article content After his earlier thought had 'totally blown up, but only in a very positive way,' Trump later hinted that he may insert himself into the ongoing process for the club to secure a new stadium at the site of RFK Stadium, its former home of three-plus decades.
