President Donald Trump is going to battle for a Long Island high school after New York Democrats tried to force the school to erase its Native American mascot in the name of “diversity.”
Massapequa High School—home of the longtime “Chiefs” mascot—is facing pressure to rebrand after the New York Department of Education issued a mandate in 2023 banning Native American-themed school mascots across the state. But the local community is fighting back—and now they’ve got the 45th president on their side.
In a Monday post on Truth Social, Trump torched the state’s directive and offered full-throated support for the Massapequa community’s legal battle to keep its mascot name and identity intact.
“I agree with the people in Massapequa, Long Island, who are fighting furiously to keep the Massapequa Chiefs logo on their Teams and School,” Trump wrote. “Forcing them to change the name, after all of these years, is ridiculous and, in actuality, an affront to our great Indian population.”
The controversy erupted after the state ordered every school using a Native American mascot to drop it or risk consequences—including funding cuts. But locals aren’t backing down. Massapequa School Board President Kerry Wachter said the order would force the district to spend at least $1 million to erase the Chiefs name from uniforms, facilities, and equipment.
That’s why Massapequa, along with other communities, launched a lawsuit against the state in 2023. They argue the directive not only disrespects Native American history, but also violates local rights and wastes taxpayer dollars.
Trump went further Monday, calling on Education Secretary Linda McMahon to intervene.
“By copy of this TRUTH, I am asking my highly capable Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue,” Trump wrote. “LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS!”
He also pointed to the hypocrisy of major league sports. “I don’t see the Kansas City Chiefs changing their name anytime soon!” he added.
The controversy isn’t just about sports—it’s about whether the Left has the right to erase American culture under the guise of inclusivity. Conservatives argue these mascot bans are part of a broader effort to rewrite history, undermine school pride, and force progressive conformity on communities who want no part of it.
Wachter and the school board agree. She warned the forced rebrand is “an outrageous attack on our town’s heritage and pride,” and that the state’s mandate came down without any input from local leaders or families.
The backlash from Native Americans themselves has been mixed—contrary to the progressive narrative that these mascots are universally offensive. Some tribal members and leaders have expressed support for keeping mascots that honor their warrior legacy, especially when done with respect.
Trump, known for defending traditional American values and rejecting woke pressure campaigns, sees the fight in Massapequa as a national symbol.
This isn’t the first time he’s weighed in on the mascot wars. During his first term, he vocally opposed the Washington Redskins being renamed and called out corporate sponsors who caved to cancel culture. Now, with his administration back in charge, the battle has gone local—and Trump is siding with the students and families fighting for their identity.
“This is about pride,” one Massapequa parent told local media. “We’re not backing down, and now we know the president has our back.”
With Trump in the fight and legal challenges mounting, the future of the Massapequa Chiefs may be far from settled. But one thing’s clear: the battle over school mascots is no longer just about sports—it’s about standing up to the cultural Left and defending what it means to be American.
