On Sunday, President Donald Trump shared a map on his Truth Social account that rebranded the state of New Mexico as “New America.” This post was part of a flurry of over 30 updates in just under an hour, featuring an image where “Mexico” was crossed out and replaced by “America,” as reported by the New York Post.
This move to rename the state is part of a broader trend where Trump has been integrating “America” into more official names. Shortly after his inauguration in January 2025, he changed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, claiming it honored the greatness of the nation at that time.
In addition, last month, Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America, which came amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Canada following failed trade negotiations.
In another post on Truth Social, Trump shared an AI video that reiterated the name change for New Mexico. He commented, “Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico, one of the great vote cheating states of all time, to NEW AMERICA. So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Unsurprisingly, the response from New Mexico Democrats was one of outrage. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed her disbelief on X, stating, “New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed. While the President tries to distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran, the price of gas — and everything else — keeps rising. Under Democratic leadership here in New Mexico, we’re providing families with free childcare and college, protecting access to health care, and investing in housing. While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo México is busy doing the work.”
Deb Haaland, a former Interior Secretary now campaigning for the gubernatorial position, also took to X to assert, “You can’t be serious. New Mexico is not for renaming. Not up for sale. My promise: I’ll always stand up for what makes New Mexico, New Mexico.”
New Mexico became a state in 1912. Notably, Republicans have not claimed victory in the state during a presidential election since George W. Bush narrowly defeated John Kerry in 2004 by fewer than 6,000 votes.
