United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after suggesting that the state of New Mexico should be renamed “New America”.
Trump made the proposal on Sunday in a post on social media, claiming that several people had suggested changing the state’s name.
“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico… to NEW AMERICA. So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!!” he wrote.
The White House later reposted an image showing the word “Mexico” crossed out and replaced with “America”.
Some US media reports said the proposal originated as an internet hoax before Trump amplified it.
However, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham swiftly rejected the suggestion, saying the state’s name was not open for debate.
Speaking to Fox News, Grisham said, “It’s not up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed.”
She also accused Trump of attempting to distract Americans from issues including rising petrol prices.
Trump’s latest proposal comes days after he signed an order seeking to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America”, amid heightened tensions with neighbouring Canada over trade.
The president has also floated other name changes since returning to the White House.
Last week, Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait” as the war with Iran continued, although he later appeared to indicate that he was not being serious about the proposal.
In 2025, shortly after returning to office, Trump ordered the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America”, a move rejected by Mexico.
Canada has likewise rejected the attempt to rename Lake Ontario.
The latest proposal to rename New Mexico has therefore added another unusual chapter to Trump’s campaign to alter the names of prominent geographical features and locations.
