In a renewed proposal, former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested renaming the state of New Mexico to “New America,” stating that the change would bolster national pride and potentially enhance property values and incomes. Trump shared his views on social media on October 19, arguing that the state’s current name should better reflect its identity as part of the United States.
The idea of renaming New Mexico is not new for Trump, who first floated the concept in September while endorsing a Republican congressional candidate. At that time, he shared an altered map using the name “New America” and indicated that the proposal’s fate should ultimately rest with the state’s residents.
Despite Trump’s assertions, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has dismissed the renaming proposal, emphasizing the state’s rich historical heritage that is embedded in its current name. She criticized the proposal as a political maneuver and reiterated that her administration is concentrating on key issues such as healthcare, housing, childcare, and education access.
Trump’s proposal comes in the wake of other geographical renaming efforts during his second term, including the federal adoption of the “Gulf of America” instead of the Gulf of Mexico and the reversion of Alaska’s Denali to Mount McKinley. However, as of now, no official steps have been taken to change New Mexico’s name.
In addition to the renaming suggestion, Trump also raised concerns over the integrity of elections in New Mexico, alleging electoral misconduct without presenting any evidence to support his claims.