President Donald Trump on Sunday shared a map on Truth Social depicting New Mexico with the word 'Mexico' crossed out and replaced with 'America,' effectively renaming the state as 'New America.' The White House later amplified the post on its verified X (formerly Twitter) account without additional commentary.
The image follows Trump’s previous executive orders renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' and the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America,' both of which were implemented for federal use. The White House confirmed the Lake Ontario name change via an executive order directing the Interior Department to update the Geographic Names Information System, with Google and Apple subsequently updating their maps for U.S. users.
New Mexico’s name predates its statehood by centuries, originating from Spanish explorers in the late 1500s. The territory retained the name after becoming part of the U.S. in 1848 and achieved statehood on January 6, 1912. A president cannot unilaterally rename a U.S. state, as states are governed by their own constitutions and federal orders do not apply to private entities or foreign governments.
Trump’s social media posts included an AI-generated video showing him kicking over a 'Welcome to Lake Ontario' sign and replacing it with a 'Welcome to Lake America' sign, set to the YMCA theme song. The Trump Store also sold 'Lake America' hats for $55 following the renaming of the lake.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in August found that only 14% of U.S. citizens supported renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America. Critics of the renaming efforts have suggested the actions serve as a distraction from broader policy issues, including tariffs, inflation, and trade disputes with Canada.
The White House and the office of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the latest renaming proposal.
Background on Renaming Efforts
In January 2025, Trump signed an executive order titled 'Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness', which also reverted the name of Denali in Alaska back to Mount McKinley, reversing a change made under the Obama administration. Other attempts, such as adding Trump’s name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, were blocked by a judge.
The latest renaming proposal comes amid ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, including Trump’s declaration on August 30 that the U.S. would block all Canadian products unless companies relocated to America. Negotiations over tariffs on goods traveling between the two countries have stalled, contributing to the diplomatic rift.
Public and Political Reactions
Critics argue that the renaming efforts reflect a pattern of symbolic actions aimed at rallying political support. Polling from NBC indicates Trump’s approval rating stands at 36%, with disapproval across issues such as gas prices, inflation, and foreign policy. Some political analysts suggest the renaming campaign may be an attempt to shift public attention from domestic and international challenges.
Supporters of the renaming efforts argue that the changes reflect a broader effort to emphasize American sovereignty and patriotism. Proponents of the Lake America and Gulf of America renamings have cited historical precedents for federal naming authority, though the legal basis for state renaming remains unclear.
Legal and Practical Implications
Legal experts note that while the president can issue executive orders affecting federal naming conventions, states retain authority over their own names and symbols. The U.S. Constitution grants states the power to manage their internal affairs, including geographical names, through their respective legislatures. Private companies and international bodies are not obligated to adopt federal naming changes, as demonstrated by the surge in MapQuest’s popularity after it refused to alter its maps to reflect the Lake America and Gulf of America names.
The latest proposal to rename New Mexico has not been accompanied by an executive order or formal legislative action, leaving its status as a symbolic gesture rather than a policy change.