US President Donald Trump has proposed renaming the state of New Mexico “New America,” describing the suggested name as more prestigious and beautiful.
Key Highlights
- Trump proposes renaming New Mexico “New America.”
- The US president described the suggested name as “more prestigious and beautiful.”
- New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the proposal.
- Governor says the state’s historic name is “not up for debate.”
- White House appeared to endorse the idea by reposting an edited map.
- Reports said the proposal originated as an internet hoax before Trump promoted it.
- The suggestion follows other controversial geographical renaming proposals linked to Trump.
Trump made the proposal in a social media post on Sunday, claiming he had received suggestions that the southwestern US state should adopt a new name.
“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico… to NEW AMERICA,” Trump wrote, adding that the proposed name was “so much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State.”
The White House later appeared to endorse the suggestion by reposting an image of New Mexico with the word “Mexico” crossed out and replaced with “America.”
New Mexico Governor Rejects Trump’s Proposal
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham swiftly rejected the proposal, insisting that the state’s historic name was not open for negotiation.
“The name isn’t up for debate. It’s been ours since before the United States existed,” Grisham told Fox News.
The governor also accused Trump of using the renaming proposal to divert attention from more pressing challenges facing Americans, including rising petrol prices.
Proposal Reportedly Originated As Internet Hoax
US media reports said the idea reportedly originated as an internet hoax before being picked up and promoted by Trump. The proposal has since generated renewed debate over the president’s approach to geographical names and his willingness to revisit established place names.
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Trump’s Other Renaming Proposals
The New Mexico proposal comes amid a series of controversial geographical renaming initiatives associated with the Trump administration.
Trump recently suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz the “Trump Strait” amid tensions involving Iran, although he later appeared to indicate that the proposal was not serious.
In 2025, shortly after returning to the White House, Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be referred to as the “Gulf of America,” a move rejected by Mexico.
His administration has also promoted the name “Lake America” for Lake Ontario, another proposal that has faced opposition from Canada.
The latest proposal to rename New Mexico “New America” is expected to remain a subject of political and public debate, particularly given the state government’s immediate rejection of the idea. For more on this developing story, follow us on X.
