The Trump Administration Changes the Name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America

Denali has been renamed Mount McKinley by the Trump administration, while the Gulf of Mexico has been renamed the Gulf of America.

Two significant name changes to well-known US sites have been announced by the Trump administration, garnering media attention. 

The Gulf of Mexico was formally renamed the Gulf of America by the Interior Department on Friday, while Denali, Alaska’s highest peak, was renamed Mount McKinley. 

The modifications come after US President Donald Trump issued a number of executive orders on Monday, shortly after becoming office, keeping a major campaign pledge. “As instructed by the President, the highest peak in North America will once again be called Mount McKinley, and the Gulf of Mexico will now formally be known as the Gulf of America,” the Interior Department stated in a statement.

The action returns Mount McKinley to its former name, honoring President William McKinley, who presided over the country from 1897 to 1901. Denali, which means “tall” in the Koyukon Indigenous language, was the new name that the state of Alaska successfully pushed for in 1975. According to the agency, the choice to return to Mount McKinley recognizes McKinley’s accomplishments at a period of substantial US growth. In his inauguration speech, Trump hailed McKinley as a “natural businessman” who benefited the country via tariffs and territory acquisitions, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and Hawaii. 

“The Nation’s dedication to conserving the United States’ remarkable legacy and making sure that future generations of Americans honor the legacy of its heroes and historic assets is reaffirmed by these changes,” the agency said. 

Nonetheless, the Gulf of Mexico’s rebranding has generated debate and interest on a global scale. Trump’s government may direct US organizations, such as the Geological Survey, to alter their name to “Gulf of America,” but this move is unlikely to be accepted internationally. The move has drawn opposition from Mexico, which shares a border with the body of water.

According to Mexican officials, the Gulf of Mexico is a globally known term that has been used for centuries as a reference point for marine navigation. 

In a lighthearted reaction to the revelation, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed renaming North America “Mexican America,” a moniker that appears on early maps of the region. 

Debates about international connections, historical preservation, and striking a balance between pride in one’s country and recognition abroad have been triggered by the name changes. It remains to be seen if these improvements will persist or encounter difficulties.