Trump proposes renaming New Mexico New America

President Donald Trump on October 19, 2026, posted on Truth Social that New Mexico should immediately change its name to New America. He wrote that the country is not Mexico, that the name would add great value and prestige, that home values and incomes would rise, and that people would be prouder saluting the American flag. He added that elections he described as crooked or unfair might become honest or fair again. The post renewed a September 7 statement in which Trump said the change would make the state much more prestigious and beautiful. He has also proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and Lake Ontario Lake America. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the proposal, saying the name is not a matter for debate and that it has been theirs since before the United States existed. New Mexico lawmakers have rejected the idea, and Republican congressional candidate Greg Cunningham said renaming is not legislatively possible. Trump lacks sole authority to rename a state; the change would likely require action by New Mexico and Congress.