New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Sunday firmly rejected a suggestion by US President Donald Trump to rename the state “New America,” insisting the historic name was not open to discussion.
Trump floated the idea in a social media post, saying he had received public suggestions for the change.
“Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico… to NEW AMERICA,” Trump wrote. “So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!!”
The White House later shared an image of the state map with “Mexico” crossed out and replaced by “America.”
US media reports indicated the proposal began as an internet hoax before Trump promoted it.
Lujan Grisham told Fox News the state’s name would not be altered.
“The name isn’t up for debate it’s been ours since before the United States existed,” she said.
The governor accused Trump of using the renaming idea to distract from more urgent problems facing Americans, including high petrol prices.
The suggestion follows a series of similar moves by Trump’s administration. Last week he proposed renaming the Strait of Hormuz the “Trump Strait” during ongoing tensions with Iran, though he later appeared to treat the idea lightly. In 2025, shortly after returning to office, he ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be called the “Gulf of America,” a change rejected by Mexico. Officials have also floated “Lake America” for Lake Ontario, a proposal opposed by Canada.
