President Donald Trump’s recent social media posts proposing to rename New Mexico as “New America” have faced criticism. The Albuquerque Journal labeled the suggestion as an “elementary” joke by “immature people.” On Sunday, Trump shared an altered image of a New Mexico map, where “Mexico” was replaced with “America.” Later, the White House account on X shared a screenshot of this post.
In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump presented an AI-generated video showing him replacing a “Welcome to New Mexico” sign with “America.” He cited suggestions from many people advocating for the name change, describing it as a prestigious and beautiful option for the state.
Since his return to the White House in January 2025, Trump has made attempts to rename geographic features, like the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” and Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” Although these alterations have been mocked, they have elicited strong responses, especially from New Mexico’s leadership, given Trump’s lack of authority to rename any state.
Response from New Mexico’s Politicians
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, responded on Instagram, affirming that New Mexico’s name is not debatable and highlighting the state’s achievements under Democratic leadership, such as free childcare and college education. Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland also refuted the proposal, emphasizing that New Mexico is not open for renaming or sale.
Other Democratic lawmakers from New Mexico echoed similar sentiments. Representative Melanie Stansbury emphasized the historical and cultural significance of New Mexico’s name, while Senator Martin Heinrich and Representative Gabe Vasquez stated their refusal to accept the renaming. Notably, even Republican gubernatorial nominee Gregg Hull opposed the suggestion, highlighting the state’s rich history and identity.
Opinion from the Albuquerque Journal
An op-ed by journalist Ryan Boetel in the Albuquerque Journal criticized Trump’s proposal as “so elementary.” Boetel advised New Mexicans to disregard Trump’s antics, considering them as provocations meant to distract from more serious issues, such as his administration’s challenges with Iran, rising living costs, and decreasing approval ratings.
Legal and Historical Context
Trump suggested that “New America” could be a more patriotic name for New Mexico. However, New Mexico was named Nuevo México by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, long before modern Mexico adopted its name. Any official name change would need to originate within the state, as it is protected by the state constitution.
On returning to office, Trump enacted certain rebrandings, like the Gulf of Mexico’s rebranding to “Gulf of America,” unrecognized by Mexico or internationally. Recently he has also attempted to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” albeit without international consensus. More controversial suggestions include renaming the Strait of Hormuz as the “Trump Strait,” reflecting the enduring tensions in that region.