President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion to rename New Mexico as New America has sparked a wave of criticism from state officials and residents. The proposal, which surfaced on social media, has been met with strong opposition, highlighting the deep cultural and historical significance of the state’s name.
The controversy began when Trump shared several maps of New Mexico, each labeled with the new moniker. This move followed an earlier post featuring an AI-generated video of Trump altering a road sign from Welcome to New Mexico to Welcome to New America. The White House has not announced any official effort to rename the state, but the rhetoric has prompted a swift and decisive response from Democratic lawmakers.
New Mexico Officials Stand Firm Against Renaming
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham was among the first to respond, stating, New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate—it’s been ours since before the United States existed. She criticized the White House for what she described as a distraction from more pressing issues, such as the ongoing war in Iran and rising consumer prices.
Former Secretary of the Interior and gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland also weighed in, asserting, You can’t be serious. New Mexico is not for renaming. Not up for sale. She emphasized her commitment to preserving the state’s identity, vowing to always stand up for what makes New Mexico, New Mexico.
Sen. Ben Ray Luján echoed these sentiments, declaring, it’s New Mexico, always has been and always will be. He labeled Trump as corrupt further fueling the political tension surrounding the issue.
Support and Opposition from Political Allies
While the proposal has faced significant backlash, some Trump allies have expressed support. Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah remarked, New America? Kind of catchy adding a note of approval to the controversial suggestion.
This is not the first time Trump has attempted to rename geographical locations. Earlier this year, he signed an Executive Order renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America on August 27, 2026. The move was widely criticized by both U.S. and Canadian lawmakers, who vowed to continue using the original name. The order applies only to federal references and does not affect how Canada or other countries refer to the lake.
In a similar vein, Trump signed an Executive Order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America last year. This change has been adopted by federal agencies and reflected on Google Maps and Apple Maps for U.S. users. The president has also renamed the Kennedy Center by adding his surname, a decision that has faced legal challenges and public scrutiny.
Legislative Response to Renaming Efforts
In response to Trump’s renaming of Lake Ontario, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), alongside Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25), introduced the Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act on August 31, 2026. This legislation aims to block the president’s attempt to rename Lake Ontario and prohibit future renaming of any of the five Great Lakes.
Congressman Kennedy criticized the move, stating, This unserious, unacceptable attempt to rename the historic, shared Lake Ontario adds insult to injury as Trump’s tariffs drive up costs, making an already difficult situation worse. He emphasized that renaming a lake would not address the affordability crisis or create jobs.
Congresswoman Dingell highlighted the shared heritage of the Great Lakes, noting, Canada is not our enemy. It is our neighbor, our ally, and one of Michigan’s most important economic partners. She called for the administration to focus on strengthening the economy rather than engaging in distracting public relations stunts.
Congressman Morelle added, Lake Ontario is Lake Ontario. President Trump can play games with a map all he wants, but I’m not going to stand by while he wastes the authority and resources of the federal government doing it. The legislation would nullify Trump’s Executive Order and prohibit federal funds from being used to implement similar actions.
The debate over renaming New Mexico and other geographical locations underscores the broader political tensions and the significance of cultural and historical identities. As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how these naming initiatives will impact public opinion and political discourse.
