In a renewed proposal, former US President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the state of New Mexico to “New America,” arguing that such a change would foster national pride and boost property values and incomes. Trump made this proposal in a social media post on October 19, emphasizing that the state’s current name does not adequately reflect its identity as part of the United States.
Trump’s proposal also included unsubstantiated claims about the integrity of elections in New Mexico, as he alleged electoral misconduct without providing evidence. This is not the first time Trump has floated the idea of renaming New Mexico; he previously mentioned it in a September post, where he shared an altered map using the name “New America” while endorsing a Republican congressional candidate.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico has dismissed the proposal, citing the deep historical roots of the state’s name and expressing concerns about using it as a political tool. Grisham stated that her administration’s focus remains on essential issues such as healthcare, housing, childcare, and access to education.
This proposal follows other renaming initiatives during Trump’s second term, including the federal adoption of “Gulf of America” for the Gulf of Mexico and the reversion of Denali’s name to Mount McKinley in Alaska. However, no official steps have been taken towards changing New Mexico’s name.