United States President Donald Trump on Sunday suggested the state of New Mexico could become “New America.”
His proposal, which was immediately rejected by the state’s governor, comes days after he signed an order to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” in the middle of a trade war with neighboring Canada.
“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico… to NEW AMERICA,” the Republican president posted on social media. “So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible state. Wow, I love it!!!”
The White House shared an image of the Mexico portion of the state’s name crossed out and replaced with “America.”
According to certain US media reports, the notion originated as an internet hoax.
State Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham told Fox News that the name “isn’t up for debate—it’s been ours since before the United States existed.”
She claimed the president intended to “distract Americans” from concerns like rising gas prices.
As the fight with Iran continues, Trump last week proposed renaming the Strait of Hormuz the “Trump Strait,” but hours later signaled he was not serious about the notion.
He renamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” on his first day back in the White House in 2025, a move that Mexico rejected.
Canada has also rejected a proposal to rename Lake Ontario.
