Trump Says New Mexico Should Be Renamed 'New America,' Governor Says President Distracting Americans From 'Disastrous' Iran War

President Donald Trump suggested renaming New Mexico "New America" and praising the proposed name as more prestigious.

Trump Shares 'New America' Map After Hoax

On Sunday, Trump posted an image on Truth Social showing the word "Mexico" crossed out on a map of New Mexico and replaced with "America." The White House later amplified the image by reposting it on X.

He added that the new name would be "so much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!!"

New Mexico Leaders Reject 'New America'

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-N.M.) defended New Mexico’s name, saying it "isn’t up for debate" and accusing Trump of using the issue to distract from rising gas and grocery prices, health care concerns and housing costs.

New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed. What is up for debate? Who’s showing up for working families. While the President tries to distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran, gas prices keep soaring. Americans are… pic.twitter.com/tnX1gPItDH— Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) September 6, 2026

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) said he would continue using the official name "New Mexico," along with "Gulf of Mexico" and "Lake Ontario," rejecting efforts to rename them.

Three things I will always call by their actual names…The Gulf of MexicoLake OntarioNew Mexico— Martin Heinrich (@SenatorHeinrich) September 6, 2026

Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) defended the state’s identity, saying its name represents generations of "history, culture, and family," adding, "We’re New Mexicans. Period."

Oh hell no!Our state’s name carries generations of history, culture, and family—and it belongs to us. We’re New Mexicans. Period. pic.twitter.com/wkABUYyIqq— Rep. Melanie Stansbury (@Rep_Stansbury) September 6, 2026

Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) also rejected the proposed "New America" name, saying, "You don’t get to erase New Mexico. Not our name. Not our history. Not our culture."

You don’t get to erase New Mexico.Not our name. Not our history. Not our culture.⁰The President may want to call us "New America," but we know who we are.@cunninghamfornm has pledged himself to Trump’s agenda but New Mexico has an opportunity to elect someone who represents… https://t.co/N3c9Jm0JCV— Gabe Vasquez (@Gabe_NM) September 6, 2026

Read Also: Trump's Rebranding Efforts Attract Backlash From Lawmakers, Advocacy Groups

Trump’s Renaming Push

Trump repeatedly promoted renaming prominent U.S. landmarks and geographic features in his name.

Earlier this month, he floated calling the Strait of Hormuz "Trump Strait," claiming the waterway was under U.S. control and saying the name would be "hotter."

Last month, Trump renamed Lake Ontario "Lake America" through an executive order, directing the Interior Department to update the federal geographic names database amid rising U.S.-Canada trade tensions.

The Kennedy Center’s board also voted to restore Trump’s name to the complex and rename its grounds "President Donald J. Trump Plaza," while approving a two-year renovation closure.

In July, Trump celebrated the renaming of Palm Beach International Airport as The President Donald J. Trump International Airport, with his Boeing 757 becoming the first aircraft to land there.

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