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Donald Trump says 'Redskins' is a good name

By Tomas Monzon
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said in October 2015 that changing the Washington Redskins' name was not necessary, calling the debate over the name change another unnecessary conflict about political correctness. Here, Republican presidential candidates, Dr. Ben Carson, businessman Donald Trump and Florida governor Jeb Bush (L-R) gather for a photo-op prior to the second Republican presidential debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California on Sept. 16, 2015. Photo by Max Whittaker/UPI
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said in October 2015 that changing the Washington Redskins' name was not necessary, calling the debate over the name change another unnecessary conflict about political correctness. Here, Republican presidential candidates, Dr. Ben Carson, businessman Donald Trump and Florida governor Jeb Bush (L-R) gather for a photo-op prior to the second Republican presidential debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California on Sept. 16, 2015. Photo by Max Whittaker/UPI | License Photo

NEW YORK, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- In an interview with the New York Times, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said the Washington Redskins do not have an offensive team name.

Trump's comments follow a SiriusXM interview with fellow Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush, who also said he did not find the name offensive. According to the New York Times, Native American groups were angered and Democrats labeled it a demonstration of Bush's insensitivity.

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Trump, who usually butts heads with Bush, agreed with the former Florida Governor's assessment.

"Honestly, I don't think they should change the name, unless the owner wanted to," Mr. Trump said.

Trump added that a discussion of the Redskins name was another unnecessary conflict over political correctness, saying the name has been the same for years and is not universally considered a slur. He added that "[Some] Indians ... are extremely proud of that name."

A Change the Mascot campaign begged to differ when it released a statement about Trump's comments. The group says it is "hardly surprising" that a candidate who bluntly offended women and Mexican immigrants "wants the NFL to continue slurring Native Americans."

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Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has already called for the Redskins to change their name, earning the support of some Native American groups despite Bush's claim that "Native American tribes generally don't find it offensive."

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