Donald Trump has proposed changing the name of New Mexico to “New America,” a suggestion he shared on his Truth Social account. Trump described the new name as “much more prestigious and beautiful for the residents of this state, which has incredible potential. Wow, I love it!!!” This extreme proposal is widely viewed as a tactic to divert attention from less popular topics, according to AFP.
The idea was quickly dismissed by New Mexico’s Democratic governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, who stated that the name “is not up for debate; it has belonged to us long before the establishment of the United States.” She criticized Trump for attempting to shift American attention away from pressing issues such as soaring gas prices.
Trump’s naming initiative follows a recent decree where he renamed Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” amid trade tensions with Canada. The White House even shared an image from Trump’s Truth Social account, showcasing the alteration of the state’s name.
Additionally, last week, Trump proposed renaming the strategic Strait of Hormuz to “Trump Strait” in the context of geopolitical tensions involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran. In January 2025, at the beginning of his second term, he unilaterally renamed the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America,” a move that sparked controversy with Mexico, which also rejected the Lake Ontario renaming.
Experts and critics view Trump’s obsession with name changes as an attempt to distract. With his popularity at a low point and the Republican Party concerned about significant losses in the upcoming elections that could shift control of Congress, some, including extreme-right influencer Matt Walsh, suggest this move may even serve as a “gift” to the left, as Republicans face accusations of not addressing the interests of everyday Americans.
