President Donald Trump has found a new target for his growing campaign to rebrand America’s map: New Mexico.
Trump ignited a political firestorm Sunday after sharing a map on Truth Social that showed a large “X” over “Mexico” in the state’s name and replaced it with “America.”
The result: “New America.”
The official White House account quickly reposted the image on X, giving the provocative proposal an even bigger platform.
Hours later, Trump suggested the idea may have staying power.
“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico,” the president wrote in a follow-up post, calling the proposed name “so much more prestigious and beautiful.”
“Wow, I Love It!!!” Trump added.
A Hoax Becomes A Presidential Talking Point
The idea did not originate with the White House.
According to Snopes, a satirical social media account falsely claimed on Sept. 1 that Trump had signed an executive order changing the state’s name. The fabricated announcement quickly spread across multiple platforms.
No such executive order had been issued.
Trump nevertheless picked up the idea days later, first circulating the altered map and then openly praising the potential name change. The president did not say whether he plans to pursue any formal action.
The distinction could prove significant. A previous analysis prepared for the New Mexico Legislature concluded that the state itself “probably has the authority to change its own name.” A proposed state constitutional amendment in 2001 would have sent a name change to New Mexico voters.
Democrats Dig In
New Mexico’s Democratic congressional delegation wasted little time pushing back.
“Three things I will always call by their actual names,” Sen. Martin Heinrich wrote on X, listing the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario and New Mexico.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury delivered a blunter response: “Oh hell no!”
“Our state’s name carries generations of history, culture, and family — and it belongs to us,” Stansbury wrote.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who faces Republican Greg Cunningham in his reelection campaign, accused Trump of attempting to “erase” the state’s history and culture.
California Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu also seized on the controversy, arguing that the White House should focus on fuel prices and the ongoing Iran war.
But Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee appeared entertained by the proposal, calling “New America” “kind of catchy.”
A Name Older Than The United States
Any attempt to remove “Mexico” from the state’s name would immediately collide with centuries of history.
Spanish explorers used “Nuevo México” in documents dating to the late 1500s, according to a historical review by the New Mexico Legislature. The National Archives notes that Spain formally established the colony of New Mexico in 1598 — nearly two centuries before the United States declared independence.
New Mexico later came under Mexican rule before the United States took control in the 1840s. President William Howard Taft admitted it to the Union under its current name in 1912.
Trump’s Growing Map Makeover
The latest proposal follows Trump’s moves to replace the Gulf of Mexico with the “Gulf of America” and rename Lake Ontario “Lake America.”
The Lake Ontario order drew fierce opposition from Canadian officials, tribal leaders and congressional Democrats. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared that its traditional name would remain in use for Canadians and “the rest of the world.”
Even Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., whose district includes much of the lake’s American shoreline, suggested Trump’s move was likely designed to troll Canada during an escalating trade dispute.
