Trump suggests renaming New Mexico ‘New America’

Donald Trump has suggested renaming New Mexico “New America” by posting an altered map of the state on Truth Social. The image crossed out “Mexico” in red and replaced it with “America,” but the U.S. president offered no explanation.

The post came only days after Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America,” according to CNN. He previously changed the U.S. name for the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” by executive order after returning to the White House in January 2025.

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The name of New Mexico is not up for debate.

Trump cannot unilaterally change the official name of a state. While the president can alter certain federal geographic names, renaming New Mexico would require the appropriate procedure within the state itself. His latest post therefore remains only a suggestion, with no formal process to change the name.

New Mexico’s Democratic governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, responded sharply. “The name of New Mexico is not up for debate,” she said. She accused Trump of trying to distract Americans from what she called a catastrophic war in Iran, while fuel prices continue to rise. “While the White House wastes time coloring maps, New Mexico is diligently doing its job,” she wrote on X.

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While the president tries to distract Americans from the catastrophic war in Iran, fuel prices continue to rise. While the White House wastes time coloring maps, New Mexico is diligently doing its job.