US President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the state of New Mexico “New America”, adding another location to his series of proposed name changes.
Gatekeepers News reports that Trump made the suggestion on Sunday, prompting an immediate rejection from New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico… to NEW AMERICA,” Trump 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 later reposted an image showing the word “Mexico” crossed out in the state’s name and replaced with “America”.
Some US media reports said the proposal originated as an internet hoax before Trump amplified it.
Lujan Grisham dismissed the idea in an interview with Fox News, saying the state’s name was not open for discussion.
“The name isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed,” she said.
The governor also accused Trump of seeking to “distract Americans” from domestic concerns, including rising gas prices.
Trump’s latest proposal comes amid a broader push to rename geographic features. Days earlier, he signed an order changing the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America”, a move Canada has rejected.
Last week, Trump also floated the idea of renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait” amid the ongoing war with Iran, although he later appeared to suggest that he was not being serious about the proposal.
In 2025, shortly after returning to the White House, Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America”, a move rejected by Mexico.
Canada has likewise rejected Trump’s attempt to rename Lake Ontario.
