Cleveland Guardians refuse to rebrand back to Indians amid calls for change

In the United States, the Cleveland Guardians' name change from the Indians has sparked significant discussion. On July 21, 2025, U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno expressed support for former President Donald Trump's call for the Guardians to revert to their original name, declaring that 'Cleveland wants this.' Moreno referenced a social media post from Trump where he advocated for teams that changed names during the so-called 'woke era' to return to their original identities. Trump claimed there was widespread desire among fans and notable members of the Native American community for the Guardians to revert to the Indians name. However, Chris Antonetti, the president of the Guardians, countered this argument, making it clear that the team had no intention of changing their name or logo back. He emphasized that the decision to adopt the Guardians name in 2021 was deliberate and has provided an opportunity for the franchise to develop a new brand identity over the past four years. Antonetti affirmed the team’s commitment to its current branding, noting that they look forward to the future with their new name and intended branding path. The name change itself was instituted as a response to ongoing discussions surrounding cultural sensitivity and the implications of using Native American imagery in sports. The franchise made the name change to Guardians in 2022 following complaints about the Indian moniker being seen as culturally insensitive by various groups. Trump, in his recent social media commentary, argued that the decision to change names was a capitulation to the 'cancel culture’ and suggested that returning to previous names would restore common sense. He asserted, however, that the team owners should take heed of the desires of the community and the fan base. As the debate continues over team branding and cultural sensitivity, the Guardians' leadership has made their position clear. Antonetti's firm rejection of Trump’s call demonstrates a divide in opinions about the appropriateness of historical sports names and the modern implications of using such imagery. This is particularly pertinent as the Guardians have only recently navigated the complexities of their rebranding and have built a platform to engage with their fan base under their current identity.