Donald Trump has renewed his call for New Mexico to be renamed “New America”, arguing that the state should have a name that reflects its place within the United States.
In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote: “New Mexico should immediately change its name to New America.” He added: “We are not Mexico, we are the United States of America!”
Mr Trump said the proposed change would provide an economic and cultural boost, claiming that “home values and incomes would rise” and that patriotism would increase.
He also linked the idea to his criticism of elections, writing: “Maybe even the Crooked Elections, that New Mexico is known for, would become honest again!”
The president revived the proposal after previously sharing an AI-altered image of a map of the south-western state. In the image, the word “Mexico” had been crossed out in red and replaced with “America”.
About an hour later, he posted an AI-generated video showing him placing a new “America” label over a “Welcome to New Mexico” highway sign before performing his trademark dual-fist dance.
New Mexico’s Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham previously rejected the suggestion, saying: “New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate – it’s been ours since before the United States existed.”
She accused the White House of creating a distraction from price rises linked to the Iran war, adding: “While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo México is busy doing the work.”
Despite Mr Trump’s demands, he does not have the power to rename New Mexico. Any change would have to originate within the state because its name is written into the New Mexico Constitution.
