Donald Trump made a trip to Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, California, in May. Photo from Facebook

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is joining rival Jeb Bush in defense of the Washington NFL team's racist mascot.

Trump told The New York Times that the decision on the name should be left to the team's owner. He also said some Native Americans support the racist moniker.

“I know Indians that are extremely proud of that name,” Trump told the Times. “They think it’s a positive.”

Trump's defense drew condemnation from the Change the Mascot campaign. The group -- headed up by the Oneida Nation of New York -- wasn't surprised by the outspoken candidate's insensitivity.

“It is hardly surprising that a candidate who labeled Mexican immigrants rapists and calls women 'pigs' now says he wants the NFL to continue slurring Native Americans," the group said in a statement. "Donald Trump joins some of the NFL’s ignoble fraternity of billionaires who sit in their office suites and owners boxes happily spending their fortunes denigrating people of color.”

Bush also said the name was not offensive even though prominent Indian activists, dozens of tribes, nearly every Indian organization have called it racist, dehumanizing and derogatory

Get the Story:
Donald Trump and Jeb Bush Find Common Ground on Washington’s Football Team (The New York Times 10/5)
Donald Trump doesn’t think the Redskins should change their name (The Washington Post 10/5)

An Opinion:
Tara Houska: Houska: Trump Burns Native Americans Again (Indian Country Today 10/5)

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