President Donald Trump reiterated his demand to rename New Mexico as “New America” on Monday.
“New Mexico should immediately change its name to New America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We are not Mexico, we are the United States of America! The name would add great value and prestige to the State! Home Values and Incomes would rise, and you would be even prouder while saluting our beautiful American Flag! Maybe even the Crooked Elections, that New Mexico is known for, would become honest again!”
The president first floated the idea in September after renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America,” which followed his 2025 renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
Trump unilaterally renamed both bodies of water through executive orders, but he is unable to do the same for New Mexico because its name is enshrined in the state constitution.
To rename New Mexico, the state legislature must pass a constitutional amendment that is then approved by voters in a statewide ballot initiative. As Trump continues to suggest New Mexico be renamed, state lawmakers are not very interested in the prospect.
Many state officials, including Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), opposed the idea. Additionally, both gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Deb Haaland and Republican Gregg Hull, rejected the suggestion.
“New Mexico does not need a new name,” Hull said last month. “This state carries the history of Native nations and Spanish explorers who named this land nearly five hundred years ago, and generations of families who built New Mexico into what it is today. That identity is not up for negotiation.”
Notably, Trump has not endorsed Hull in the gubernatorial race.
NEW MEXICO GOP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRUSHES OFF TRUMP’S FLOATING NAME CHANGE TO ‘NEW AMERICA’
It is unclear why Trump brought up the “New America” name change again on social media.
Trump doesn’t have any scheduled upcoming visits to New Mexico, though he is traveling to various states ahead of the midterm elections.