WASHINGTON (TNND) — A suggestion by President Donald Trump to rename New Mexico as “New America” drew a swift rebuke from the state’s Democratic governor, who said the state’s name is not up for debate.
Trump posted several maps of New Mexico on Truth Social with the word “America” where “Mexico” would typically appear. He later wrote on Truth Social that “many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico to ‘New America.’” Though it’s not clear who he was referring to.
Despite the social media posts, the president does not have the power to change the name of a state. Any name change would have to originate from the state itself, and after the response from state leadership, it does not appear likely to happen.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wrote on X that “New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed.”
She also pointed to policies and initiatives in the state while criticizing the White House.
“We’re providing families with free childcare and college, protecting access to health care and investing in housing,” she wrote. “While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo México is busy doing the work.”
The New Mexico proposal is the latest name-change fight Trump has started after recently signing an executive order to call Lake Ontatrio, Lake America and floating the idea of changing the name Strait of Hormuz to the “Trump Strait.”