Trump Suggests Renaming New Mexico “New America”; Governor Says State Predates the United States

Donald Trump has suggested changing New Mexico’s name to “New America,” adding another geographic renaming proposal to a list that has already drawn criticism in the United States and abroad.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that several people had suggested replacing New Mexico with “NEW AMERICA.” He described the proposed name as “much more prestigious and beautiful” for the state’s residents and said New Mexico had “incredible potential.” He added, “Wow, I love that!!!”

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Many people have suggested that we change the name of New Mexico (...) to NEW AMERICA.

The White House later shared an AI-generated video showing the word “Mexico” crossed out and replaced with “America.” According to U.S. media reports cited in the article, the idea may have originated with an online prank.

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Wow, I love that!!!

Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the proposal immediately. In a statement to Fox News, she said the state’s name was not open for debate and stressed its historical age: “It is not up for debate; it is ours from long before the creation of the United States.” She also accused Trump of trying to divert attention from more pressing issues, including rising gasoline prices.

The suggestion follows other renaming initiatives associated with Trump. He recently signed an order changing the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” a move rejected by Canada because the lake lies along the two countries’ shared border. He also proposed calling the Strait of Hormuz the “Trump Strait” and unilaterally changed the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” in January 2025, a decision Mexico contested. Critics, including some conservatives, view the proposals as an effort to shift attention from domestic problems. The article also says Trump’s popularity is low and Republicans face the prospect of a major defeat in November elections that will determine control of Congress.

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It is not up for debate; it is ours from long before the creation of the United States.