Trump Weighs In Again On Massapequa 'Chiefs' Fight

MASSAPEQUA, NY — President Trump is defending the Massapequa School District again in its push to keep the "Chiefs" mascot.

Trump posted to Instagram on Monday that he agrees with the people of Massapequa, "who are fighting furiously" to maintain the "Chiefs" logo at the high school and for their teams.

Last week, Trump took to Truth Social, showing support of Massapequa, saying in part: "Forcing them to change the name, after all these years, is ridiculous and in actuality an affront to our great Indian population."

The president showed a photo of himself holding a Massapequa Chiefs sweatshirt in the White House.

"It has become the School’s identity and, what could be wrong with using the name, 'Chief'? I don’t see the Kansas City Chiefs changing their name anytime soon," Trump said in the Instagram post.

In response to Trump's support, state Department of Education spokesperson J. P. O'Hare said: "The New York State Education Department has not received any communication from the federal government on this issue. However, the U.S. Department of Education’s attempt to interfere with a state law concerning school district mascots is inconsistent with Secretary McMahon’s March 20, 2025 statement that she is 'sending education back to the states where it so rightly belongs.'"

A judge dismissed a lawsuit by Masssapequa and Wantagh school officials to keep their Native American team nickname and imagery.

However, Trump is calling on Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, "to fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue. LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS!" Trump wrote.