US President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the state of New Mexico “New America”, extending his recent push to rename prominent geographic locations.
Trump made the proposal on Sunday in a social media post, saying the idea had been suggested by “many people” and would make the state’s name “more prestigious and beautiful”.
“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico… to NEW AMERICA,” the Republican president posted. “So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!!”
The White House later reposted an image depicting 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.
However, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham quickly rejected the idea, telling Fox News that the state’s name was not open for discussion.
“It’s been ours since before the United States existed,” she said.
Lujan Grisham also accused Trump of seeking to “distract Americans” from pressing issues, including soaring gas prices.
Trump’s Growing Renaming Push
The proposal comes days after Trump signed an order seeking to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” amid a trade dispute with neighbouring Canada. Canada has rejected the attempt.
Trump also suggested last week that the Strait of Hormuz could be renamed “Trump Strait” as the war with Iran continues. Hours later, he appeared to indicate that he was not serious about the proposal.
Earlier, on his first day back in the White House in 2025, Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America”, a move rejected by Mexico.
The latest proposal to rename New Mexico has therefore added another US geographic location to Trump’s recent series of naming initiatives.
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