President Donald Trump is again urging New Mexico to adopt a different name, arguing that “New America” would bring greater prestige and economic benefits, despite opposition from state officials and constitutional obstacles.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump renewed his proposal Monday, Oct. 19, to rename New Mexico “New America,” claiming the change would increase property values, raise incomes and strengthen residents’ pride in their state.
The president made the appeal on Truth Social, reviving a suggestion he first promoted in September that drew immediate objections from New Mexico’s Democratic leadership.
“New Mexico should immediately change its name to New America. We are not Mexico, we are the United States of America!” Trump wrote.
“The name would add great value and prestige to the State! Home Values and Incomes would rise, and you would be even prouder while saluting our beautiful American Flag!”
Trump also used the announcement to criticize the state’s election system, suggesting that renaming New Mexico could improve election integrity.
“Maybe even the Crooked Elections, that New Mexico is known for, would become honest again!” he added.
The president provided no evidence connecting the state’s name to property values, household incomes or election administration. He also offered no documentation supporting his allegation of widespread election misconduct.
His latest proposal, circulated on social media, follows several previous statements promoting the idea as part of his broader interest in changing geographic names.
In September, Trump shared an altered map showing “Mexico” crossed out and replaced with “America.” The White House subsequently amplified the image through its official X account.
During the Republican National Committee’s Midterm Convention on Sept. 9, Trump again suggested that New Mexico should adopt the name “New America,” asserting that residents supported the proposal.
“You have a neighboring state, New Mexico. We think it should be called New America,” Trump said. “I’ll tell you, the people love the idea.”
“I don’t know about the radical left. I’m sure it doesn’t like it, but the people love it,” he added.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the proposal, arguing that the state’s name carries historical significance predating the founding of the United States.
The Democratic governor told Fox News Digital that the name “isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed.”
New Mexico’s name traces its origins to the Spanish colonial period, when the region was known as Nuevo México centuries before it became the 47th U.S. state in 1912.
Lujan Grisham also accused the administration of prioritizing symbolic political disputes over issues affecting residents.
“While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo México is busy doing the work,” she said.
The governor pointed to her administration’s efforts involving child care, education, health care and housing as more pressing priorities.
Her previous response to Trump’s proposal reflected broader opposition from state officials, including members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation.
Beyond the political disagreement, changing the state’s name would require a formal legal process.
Article I of the New Mexico Constitution explicitly declares: “The name of this state is New Mexico.”
Amending that provision would generally require approval from the state Legislature followed by a statewide vote. The president cannot independently rename a state through an executive order.
Trump has previously pursued other geographic renaming initiatives, including directing federal agencies to use “Gulf of America” instead of Gulf of Mexico and “Lake America” instead of Lake Ontario.
Those measures concern federal geographic naming practices and do not provide authority to change the constitutional name of an existing state.
Trump’s latest proposal contains no formal legislative request, executive directive or timetable for implementation.
With state leaders opposing the idea and no constitutional amendment underway, “New America” remains a presidential proposal rather than an official change to New Mexico’s name.
Original article
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