Trump renews call to rename New Mexico ‘New America’

President Donald Trump called on New Mexico to rename itself ‘New America’ in a Truth Social post on October 19, reviving a proposal that the state's governor previously rejected. He urged an immediate change, but New Mexico has announced no name change. His post made claims about economic benefits and election integrity without establishing that a new name would produce either.

What Trump said about ‘New America’

‘New Mexico should immediately change its name to New America. We are not Mexico, we are the United States of America!’ Trump wrote. He said the proposed name would add value and prestige to the state and claimed that home values and incomes would rise. He also said residents would feel prouder while saluting the American flag.

New Mexico governor rejected the earlier proposal

Trump had raised the idea in September. According to Hindustan Times, he shared an altered map on Truth Social that crossed out ‘Mexico’ and substituted ‘America’. In a video endorsing Republican congressional candidate Greg Cunningham, he also greeted the state as ‘New America — formerly known as New Mexico’. The October 19 post renewed that campaign; it was not the first time Trump had proposed the name.

When he floated the idea earlier, Trump said residents would have the final say and described the proposed change as ‘beautiful’, Hindustan Times reported. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the proposal, arguing that the state's name had a long history and should not be treated as a political talking point. Her response addressed the earlier push, rather than the October 19 post.

For New Mexico residents, the immediate distinction is between the president's demand and a change by the state. Hindustan Times reported that no state name change had been announced. Trump's predictions about property values, incomes and elections remain claims in his post, rather than effects of a decision that has taken place.