Trump suggests renaming New Mexico
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The gist
Trump suggested renaming New Mexico to 'New America' in a social media post on Sept. 6. He lacks authority to rename any state, and New Mexico's governor rejected the idea.
Background
President Trump has been renaming geographic features via executive orders, such as the Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' and Lake Ontario to 'Lake America.' On Sept. 6, 2026, he posted an image on Truth Social suggesting New Mexico be renamed 'New America,' which the White House reposted. However, a president cannot unilaterally rename a state; such a change would require state action. New Mexico's Democratic governor and other officials quickly dismissed the idea.
How it unfolded
- Sep 6, 2026Trump posted on Truth Social an image of a map of New Mexico with 'Mexico' crossed out and replaced with 'America,' suggesting the state be renamed 'New America.'
- Sep 6, 2026The White House reposted the image on X. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham responded on social media, saying the name 'isn't up for debate.'
- Sep 7, 2026Democratic leaders in New Mexico and others pushed back, noting Trump lacks authority to rename states. Trump later posted an AI video of himself altering a road sign.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said, 'New Mexico's name isn't up for debate — it's been ours since before the United States existed.'
- Critics
- Critics said the renaming tactic is a distraction from real issues like gas prices and inflation, with the governor accusing Trump of trying to 'distract Americans.'
Still unverified
Trump claimed 'many people suggested' the rename, but it is unclear who those people are. He also called New Mexico 'one of the great vote cheating states,' an accusation he has made before without evidence.