Making sure to maintain his very interesting focus, Donald Trump took time away from making grandiose claims like he'd win an election over a George Washington/Abe Lincoln ticket and fundraising rallies to direct his anger at a baseball team dropping a racist name.
The Major League Baseball team based in Cleveland has changed it's name and mascot from an offensive caricature of Indigenous people akin to blackface to an alternative renaming the team the Cleveland Guardians.
The baseball franchise released a roll out video for the new name.
That\u2019s just a hell of a rollout. Respect pic.twitter.com/SydBaJEUPJ— Ben LaBolt (@Ben LaBolt) 1627058897
While most Americans and tribal members would be glad to be rid of overtly racist displays in our diverse country, the disgraced former President took offense.
Since Trump's Twitter ban is in full effect, despite his attempts to make a new account, Trump had his mouthpiece Liz Harrington post a statement on his behalf.
NEW!\n\nPresident Trump: "Can anybody believe that the Cleveland Indians, a storied and cherished baseball franchise since taking the name in 1915, are changing their name to the Guardians?\n\n"Such a disgrace...pic.twitter.com/07QD30bqe9— Liz Harrington (@Liz Harrington) 1627059570
In the statement Trump said:
“...and I guarantee that the people who are most angry about it are the many Indians of our Country."
"Wouldn't it be an honor to have a team named the Cleveland Indians, and wouldn't it be disrespectful to rip that name and logo off of those jerseys?"
When he ended his rant Trump stated:
“A small group of people, with absolutely crazy ideas and policies, is forcing these changes to destroy our culture and heritage. At some point, the people will not take it anymore!"
Twitter users who have not been banned clapped back.
"A small group of people, with absolutely crazy ideas, is trying to convince a larger number of people that they actually won an election they lost by over 7 million votes! It's hilarious!!"— Volemangler (@Volemangler) 1627061878
Actually as a life long baseball fan, I think it\u2019s a great name representative of their city. And Native Americans (not Indians) are totally fine with it as well. It\u2019s respectful and shows the signs of a maturing society that understands how to be more respectful of others.— \u3010R.G.B.\u00a9\u3011\ud83d\udc48\ud83c\udffc \ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\udf35 (@\u3010R.G.B.\u00a9\u3011\ud83d\udc48\ud83c\udffc \ud83c\udf0e\ud83c\udf35) 1627065767
On point!— j denza (@j denza) 1627137114
You\u2019re right! They *couldn\u2019t* take those crazy ideas anymore, and forced Cleveland baseball ownership to change the name.— DWW (@DWW) 1627061740
then the name is actually appropriate.— christina m. brooks (@christina m. brooks) 1627061917
Using your status and privilege to complain about a racist name being changed is a weird flex.
Meanwhile the current President embraced antiracism.
YES! Thank you @POTUS for supporting this name change and for standing with us in our fight against racism against Native peoples and the psychological harm racist sports mascot cause to Native children. #NotYourMascot #ChangeTheName #ClevelandGuardians #TheTimeIsNowhttps://twitter.com/cbsnews/status/1418638119872630784\u00a0\u2026— Crystal EchoHawk (@Crystal EchoHawk) 1627079762
The Cleveland Guardians are infrastructure.https://twitter.com/schmangee/status/1418581170946723841\u00a0\u2026— TransportationGov (@TransportationGov) 1627235932
Despite Trump's claims, the National Congress of American Indians asked all sports teams in the United States to eliminate using Indigenous people as mascots.
NCAI commends today\u2019s announcement by the MLB franchise in Cleveland of its new team name and mascot, the \u201cGuardians.\u201d #NotYourMascot \n\nRead NCAI President Sharp\u2019s full statement: https://bit.ly/3iDX5LF\u00a0pic.twitter.com/b4KN9jvvUe— National Congress of American Indians (@National Congress of American Indians) 1627048860
The announcement comes seven months after its decision to retire its long-used \u201cIndians\u201d name and mascot, a decision it reached following an extensive process to engage with and learn from tribal leaders, leading scholars, local and national Native organizations, and more.— National Congress of American Indians (@National Congress of American Indians) 1627048861
Indigenous voices on Twitter show how out of touch Trump is.
An historic moment! We applaud the Cleveland team and thank those who work tirelessly on eliminating harmful sports mascots. #Indigenous \n\nCleveland changing name from Indians to Guardianshttps://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31868331/cleveland-changing-name-indians-guardians?platform=amp&fbclid=IwAR3wvAmazc5t1QKgfdausdf6oaFj7yLyE_0Ej0vcyiupBh9CkhXQcIiC7zs\u00a0\u2026— American Indian Policy Institute (@American Indian Policy Institute) 1627051194
I\u2019m so happy my hometown baseball team will finally be changing its name to the Cleveland Guardians. Thank you to the Indigenous organizers who have been advocating for years to change the name #ClevelandGuardians #TheLandhttps://twitter.com/indians/status/1418565355472101378\u00a0\u2026— Dr. Rosie Perez (@Dr. Rosie Perez) 1627048645
Cleveland\u2019s Indigenous community celebrates Guardians name change and hopes schools with Native mascots follow suithttps://www.cleveland.com/metro/2021/07/clevelands-indigenous-community-celebrates-guardians-name-change-and-hopes-schools-with-native-mascots-follow-suit.html\u00a0\u2026— Robin Goist (@Robin Goist) 1627076548
\u201cIndigenous people are not anyone\u2019s mascot. Why they & they alone have been used as cartoon figures to make money in sports baffles the mind. If the same was done with Asians, Hispanics, Caucasians, African-Americans, there would be condemnation & outrage\u201dhttps://apple.news/AuMz5ZpeBQUyvDheLCw633Q\u00a0\u2026— Crystal EchoHawk (@Crystal EchoHawk) 1627191208
Watching primarily wyt folks mad at Cleveland\u2019s baseball team being renamed the Guardians argue with Indigenous folks about the history and significance of the former name is truly something. They ain\u2019t got the range just racism and rhythmless vibes.pic.twitter.com/2StlxsBI22— Treva B (@Treva B) 1627217310
Numerous studies showed such mascots are harmful to the mental health and self-esteem of Indigenous children.
Trump's record with Indigenous people is one fraught with racist statements. Why he decided he was now their spokesperson is inexplicable.
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