By Gavin Blackburn Published on 08/09/2026 - 10:07 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Trump last week suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as "Trump Strait" as the war with Iran continues, then hours later implied he was not serious about the plan. US President Donald Trump's name-changing spree found an unlikely new target earlier this week when he suggested the state of New Mexico could be renamed "New America." ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT His proposal, which was immediately dismissed by the state's governor, comes days after he signed an order to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America" in the middle of a trade war with neighbouring Canada. "Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico...to NEW AMERICA," the Republican president posted on social media. "So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people of that potentially incredible State. Wow, I Love It!!!" The White House reposted an image showing the Mexico part of the state's name crossed out and replaced with "America." A screenshot of a post on US President Donald Trump's Truth Social account, 8 September, 2026 @realDonaldTrump Trump’s Truth Social account also posted several such maps showing the name change. Some US media reports said the idea originated as an internet hoax. State governor Michelle Lujan Grisham told Fox News that the name "isn't up for debate, it's been ours since before the United States existed." She said the president wanted to "distract Americans" from issues such as soaring gas prices. Trump last week suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz as "Trump Strait" as the war with Iran continues, then hours later implied he was not serious about the plan. He renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" on his first day back in the White House in 2025 in a move rejected by Mexico. Canada has also rejected the attempt to rename Lake Ontario. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Donald Trump as Green Lantern? Why the Trump administration needs to stop (mis)using pop culture references Lake Ontario or Lake America? Google Maps results differ in Canada, US and across the world Mexico will not rule out suing Google over Gulf of Mexico name change name change Donald Trump Name United States
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