On Friday, social media users reacted with praise for the decision by the Cleveland Indians to change their names to the Cleveland Guardians. But former President Trump drew the ire of the internet after criticizing the baseball franchise, saying “many Indians” will likely be upset by the decision.
“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? Such a disgrace,” Trump said in a statement Friday.
“And I guarantee that the people who are most angry about it are the many Indians of our Country,” Trump added.
The twice-impeached, one-term former president later added that “a small group of people” is “forcing” changes onto the country to “destroy our heritage and culture.”
The Major League Baseball team announced its decision Friday morning with a video narrated by Tom Hanks.
“There’s always been Cleveland. That’s the best part of our name,” Hanks said in the video.
Trump has long blasted professional sports teams for shedding names criticized as racist.
Last year, Trump slammed sports teams for pushing to change their names in order to drop Native American monikers, accusing the franchises of attempting “to be politically correct.”
Here are some reactions to Trump’s remarks:
Former President Trump slams the Cleveland Indians' name change.
"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? Such a disgrace.."
More: https://t.co/4hSGalNICQ pic.twitter.com/i6Ju5VxfNt
— KUSI News (@KUSINews) July 23, 2021
Who the hell cares what this blowhard grifter thinks?
— Robert (@roblajolla) July 23, 2021
Such a tone deaf racist. I'm so embarrassed this man was in charge of our nation for 4 years
— BeeBee 🌊 🇺🇸 (@BeeBee5977) July 23, 2021
if he's a "FORMER" baseball fan, then why does he care?
— Anastasia Beaverhausen 🌊 (@ImJacksDejaVu) July 23, 2021
This guy was in charge of our country for 4 years 😂😂
— Rob Stewart (@RStew1229) July 23, 2021
wow… so many grammatical errors. but holy shit this is peak old man yells at cloud nonsense.
— RShackleford (@deadbug87) July 23, 2021
Who gives a flying eff what this dotty old racist thinks about anything…Dude is a non factor
— Gerry Carlin (@GerryCarlin) July 23, 2021
The disgrace is that you are in America….get out of here forever
— SanDiegoGuy75 (@Guy75San) July 23, 2021
