President Donald Trump proposed on Monday, October 19, 2026, that the state of New Mexico should change its name to "New America." In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump stated that the current name suggests a connection to Mexico that he believes should be removed to emphasize the state's status within the United States. He argued that the change would increase prestige, home values, and incomes for residents.
This proposal follows previous instances where Trump suggested the name change, including a September 2026 video endorsement for Republican congressional candidate Greg Cunningham, where he referred to the state as "formerly known as New Mexico." At that time, Trump stated the decision would ultimately be up to the residents of the state. In response, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) stated that the state's name is not up for debate and noted that the name predates the formation of the United States.
The suggestion follows a series of executive actions taken by the Trump administration to rename geographical features. In January 2025, Trump signed the "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness" executive order, which renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and changed the name of Denali, the tallest peak in North America, back to Mount McKinley. In August 2026, Trump signed an additional order renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America during a trade dispute with Canada.
The precedent for such changes was established in early 2025 with the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. Under that executive order, federal agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey were required to update all official maps and digital databases. While some private technology companies and map providers followed the federal lead, the administration noted that private individuals and companies are not legally required to adopt the new names in their own communications or products. Trump has also suggested the possibility of renaming the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, though no formal action has been taken on those bodies of water.
What happens next depends on whether the administration pursues a formal executive order or if the proposal remains a suggestion for state residents. As of October 19, 2026, no official deadline for a name change has been set, and no legislation has been introduced in Congress to facilitate the renaming of the state. Governor Lujan Grisham has stated her administration will continue to focus on state programs such as childcare and housing rather than map changes.