US President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the state of New Mexico “New America,” extending his recent push to rename geographical landmarks.
Trump made the proposal on Sunday in a social media post, days after signing an order to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” amid an ongoing trade dispute with neighbouring Canada.
“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico… to NEW AMERICA,” Trump wrote, describing the proposed name as “more prestigious and beautiful” for the state.
The White House also reposted an image showing the word “Mexico” in New Mexico crossed out and replaced with “America.”
Some US media reports said the suggestion originated as an internet hoax.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the proposal, telling Fox News that the state’s name “isn’t up for debate” and had existed before the United States was established.
She accused Trump of seeking to distract Americans from issues including rising petrol prices.
Trump last week also suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz “Trump Strait” as the war with Iran continued, although he later indicated that he was not serious about the proposal.
The president renamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” on his first day back in the White House in 2025, a move rejected by Mexico.
