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“You’re not allowed to use the word ‘Indian’ anymore”: Donald Trump

Bhaag Viru Bhaag

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Trump was referring to Native American communities while using the term “Indian,” a label that traces back to Christopher Columbus’s mistaken assumption during his 1492 voyage that he had reached the outer edges of Asia—then known in Europe as the “Indies”​


Donald Trump, while speaking to reporters, asserted that using the word “Indian” was “not allowed” anymore unless one was referring to “Indians” from the Asian nation. “You’re not allowed to use the word ‘Indian’ anymore… The only ones that want you to do it are the Indians,” he said.

“I will never tell you to change,” Trump said. A video of the US President's remarks has since circulated widely on social media.

In the video, Trump is referring to Native American communities while using the term “Indian,” a label that traces back to Christopher Columbus’s mistaken assumption during his 1492 voyage that he had reached the outer edges of Asia—then known in Europe as the “Indies.” Believing he had arrived near India, Columbus applied the term to the Indigenous peoples he encountered in the Caribbean.

Despite quickly realising he had discovered lands unknown to Europeans, the misnomer persisted and became embedded in colonial records, treaties. Over time, many have argued that the term is outdated or offensive because it is rooted in a historical misunderstanding and carries the weight of colonial misclassification and dispossession.


Many Native American advocacy groups consider the gesture, team names (like the former Washington NFL team and Cleveland Indians mascot), and associated imagery to be harmful stereotypes.

Donald Trump's remarks about ‘Indian’ come amid the POTUS's controversial moves and repeated criticism from Native American groups.

Native American groups slam Trump call to bring back Redskins name​

Earlier this year, in July, Trump faced criticism after threatening to block a planned NFL stadium in Washington, DC unless the local team reverted to its former name, the Redskins — a name dropped in 2020 after decades of criticism that it was a racial slur.

In posts on the Truth Social platform, Trump said there was "a big clamoring" for the team, which has been called the Commanders since 2022, to revert to its former name and that "our great Indian people" want it to happen. Trump had also urged Major League Baseball's Cleveland Guardians, who changed their name from Indians in 2021, to follow suit.

 
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