Former President Donald Trump proposed renaming New Mexico to “New America” in a recent Truth Social post, prompting backlash from state officials.
In a recent post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump suggested that the U.S. state of New Mexico should be renamed “New America.” The post featured an image that was also shared by the White House on X, depicting the outline of New Mexico with the word “Mexico” crossed out in red and replaced with “America.” However, the post lacked any accompanying explanation.
This suggestion follows Trump’s signing of an executive order last month that directed the U.S. government to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” On August 27, Trump signed the order, instructing federal agencies to adopt the new name in official documents and maps. This renaming initiative is part of a broader trend, as Trump previously renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and restored the name Mount McKinley for Denali.
While Trump has the authority to rename geographic landmarks, such as bodies of water, through the Geographic Names Information System, he does not possess the constitutional power to legally rename states, according to CNN.
The proposal drew immediate criticism from New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat. In her response on X, she accused Trump of attempting to distract Americans from pressing issues, asserting that “New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate.”
“While the President tries to distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran, gas prices keep soaring,” she stated. “While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo México is busy doing the work.”
Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich also weighed in, expressing his disapproval of Trump’s suggestion. He stated on X, “Three things I will always call by their actual names: The Gulf of Mexico. Lake Ontario. New Mexico.”
The name “New Mexico” has historical roots dating back to the 16th century, predating the establishment of the United States, according to a fact sheet from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Trump’s ongoing interest in renaming geographic landmarks is not new; his recent move to rename Lake Ontario coincided with tensions during a trade war with Canada.
In addition to these recent renaming efforts, Trump has hinted at plans to change the name of one of the oceans bordering the United States. “We have a gulf and we have a lake. Now, all we need is an ocean. So, maybe we’ll have to change the name of the Atlantic and/or the Pacific. Maybe we’ll change them both,” he remarked shortly after the Lake Ontario renaming.
The suggestion to rename New Mexico has sparked significant debate, highlighting the complexities surrounding geographic names and their historical significance. As discussions continue, state officials remain firm in their stance against any proposed changes.
According to CNN, the implications of such renaming efforts extend beyond mere semantics, touching on issues of identity and heritage.