Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Trump’s ‘New America’ Proposal Sparks New Mexico Backlash
Donald Trump shared a picture and video suggesting that New Mexico should be called New America.
The posts crossed out the word “Mexico” and replaced it with “America.”
Trump said some people had suggested the new name was more prestigious and beautiful.
He did not announce an official order changing the state’s name.
An earlier internet rumor claiming that he had already renamed the state was found to be false.
New Mexico’s governor and Democratic lawmakers said the state’s name is tied to its history, culture, and identity.
One Republican senator said the proposed name was “kind of catchy.”
Trump has also sought to use the names Gulf of America and Lake America for federal purposes.
The proposal is part of a wider debate over changing geographic names.
Donald Trump shared a map and an AI-generated video crossing out “Mexico” and labeling New Mexico “New America.”
Trump’s post followed a debunked September 1 rumor falsely claiming he had already signed an order renaming the state.
No official announcement or executive order has renamed New Mexico, and changing a state’s legal name would require more than a presidential social media post.
The proposal came amid Trump’s efforts to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and Lake Ontario as Lake America for U.S. federal use.
New Mexico Democrats and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the idea, while Senator Mike Lee called “New America” “kind of catchy.”
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Democratic lawmakers from New Mexico, and Senator Mike Lee.
- What
- Trump suggested calling New Mexico “New America” in a Truth Social post, but no official renaming has been announced.
- When
- Sunday, after a September 1 rumor about an alleged renaming order and days after Trump signed an order concerning Lake Ontario.
- Where
- On Truth Social and in a repost by the White House on X, concerning the U.S. state of New Mexico.
- Why
- The suggestion was part of Trump’s broader effort to promote new geographic names for U.S. federal use.
Critics and New Mexico Officials
Trump and Supporters
State identity
Critics and New Mexico Officials
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Democratic lawmakers said New Mexico’s name reflects generations of history, culture, family, and identity and is not open to debate.
Trump and Supporters
Trump described “New America” as a more prestigious and beautiful name, while Senator Mike Lee called it “kind of catchy.”
Federal renaming campaign
Critics and New Mexico Officials
Critics objected to replacing established geographic names and linked the proposal to concerns about erasing history and cultural ties.
Trump and Supporters
Trump and his administration have promoted new names for the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario and directed federal agencies to use some of those names.
Meaning of the post
Critics and New Mexico Officials
Opponents treated the post as another controversial attempt to recast an established place name, although it did not itself change the law.
Trump and Supporters
Trump presented the post as a suggestion based on what he said many people had proposed, without announcing an official order.
- Suggested name
- Trump’s map and video replaced “Mexico” with “America,” creating the label “New America.”
- Official status
- The articles report no executive order or official announcement renaming New Mexico.
- Legal distinction
- A U.S. president cannot change a state’s official legal name through a social media post alone, according to the cited reporting.
- Rumor origin
- Snopes said the earlier claim that Trump had already signed a renaming order came from a satirical social media account and spread online on September 1.
- New Mexico response
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Democratic lawmakers rejected the proposal, citing the state’s history, culture, and identity.
- Related renamings
- Trump’s administration has promoted Gulf of America for the Gulf of Mexico and Lake America for Lake Ontario for U.S. federal use.
- Mapping services
- Google and Apple updated maps for U.S. users after related federal orders, while MapQuest refused to implement the Gulf change.
- Historical name
- Spanish explorers used Nuevo México in the late 1500s; the territory retained the name after joining the United States in 1848 and became a state on January 6, 1912.
Sources
After Lake Ontario, Gulf of Mexico, Trump proposes to rename New Mexico to ‘New America’ amid rechristening push
Another renaming? Trump crosses out 'Mexico' on New Mexico state map, replaces it with 'America'
Trump shares map calling New Mexico ‘New America’, sparking fresh controversy