Trump suggests renaming New Mexico ‘New America’, governor rejects proposal
text_fields
US President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the state of New Mexico as “New America”, in the latest proposal in his series of attempts to change geographic names.
“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico... to NEW AMERICA,” Trump wrote on social media on Sunday, calling the proposed name “more prestigious and beautiful” and praising the state.
The White House also reposted an image showing the word “Mexico” crossed out from the state’s name and replaced with “America”. Some US media reports said the proposal originated as an internet hoax.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham dismissed the suggestion, telling Fox News that the state’s name “isn’t up for debate” and has been in use since before the United States existed. She also accused Trump of trying to distract Americans from issues including rising gas prices.
Trump’s latest proposal came days after he signed an order to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” during an ongoing trade dispute with Canada. Canada has rejected the attempt to change the lake’s name.
Last week, Trump also suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait” as the war with Iran continued. Hours later, he appeared to indicate that he was not serious about the proposal.
Trump had earlier renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” on his first day back in the White House in 2025. Mexico rejected the move.
The latest proposal adds New Mexico to a series of geographic names that Trump has sought to change or has publicly discussed changing since returning to office.