Trump again weighs in on Massapequa mascot fight; terms state decision 'ridiculous'
President Donald Trump holds a Massapequa Chiefs logo shirt in the Oval Office of the White House. Credit: Instagram
For the second time in a week, President Donald Trump has voiced his support of the Massapequa school district in its battle to keep "Chiefs" as the official school mascot.
Trump posted a photo of himself holding a navy blue-and-gold sweatshirt emblazoned with the words "Massapequa Chiefs," adorned with the mascot — a Native American wearing a feathered headdress.
The state's Board of Regents banned public schools from using Native American mascots, logos and team names in the spring of 2023. Local Native American leaders have said they “perpetuate racist symbolism.”
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
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