In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” sparking outrage and confusion both domestically and internationally. The announcement, made Friday by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DoI), follows Trump’s declaration that the renaming honors “American greatness.”
The Gulf of Mexico, a name that has been in use since the 16th century, forms a critical geographical and cultural link for both the United States and Mexico. Trump’s decision, however, has been met with immediate resistance from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who stated, “For us, it will continue to be the Gulf of Mexico, and for the entire world, it will continue to be the Gulf of Mexico.”
A History of Renaming Controversy
The decision to rename the Gulf isn’t an isolated case. The DoI also announced the reversal of a 2015 decision under former President Barack Obama to officially designate North America’s highest mountain as Denali. The mountain will now revert to its prior name, Mount McKinley, in honor of former U.S. President William McKinley, despite the fact that McKinley had no connection to the region or the mountain itself.
The 2015 renaming of the mountain as Denali, requested by the state of Alaska, was celebrated as a sign of cultural sensitivity toward Indigenous Alaskans, for whom the name Denali—meaning “The High One” in the Koyukon Athabaskan language—holds spiritual and historical significance.
The DoI, however, stated that these new changes “reaffirm the nation’s commitment to preserving the extraordinary heritage of the United States and ensuring that future generations of Americans celebrate the legacy of its heroes and historic assets.”
Backlash and Diplomatic Tensions
Mexico has strongly criticized the decision to rename the Gulf, which borders both nations. Critics argue that the move undermines centuries of shared history and geographic unity between the two countries. Mexican commentators and leaders have dismissed the new name as symbolic overreach.
Internationally, observers have noted the potential for strained relations with Mexico, whose President Sheinbaum remains firm in rejecting the name change. “This is not just a matter of semantics; it’s about history, culture, and sovereignty,” said a spokesperson for the Mexican government.
Domestically, opposition to the renaming of Denali has also arisen. Indigenous leaders in Alaska have expressed dismay, calling the move a dismissal of Native American heritage. “The mountain was named Denali long before it was ever called McKinley,” said a representative of the Alaska Federation of Natives. “This decision feels like erasure.”
Implications and Next Steps
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names is reportedly working to update federal nomenclature systems, including the Geographic Names Information System, to reflect these changes. The updates will apply to all federal documents and communications, but states, international entities, and local governments will decide independently whether to adopt the new names.
The renaming of such iconic geographic landmarks raises questions about the role of political authority in reshaping cultural and historical narratives. Analysts argue that the changes could set a precedent for further attempts to rename historically significant sites.
For now, the Gulf of Mexico remains the Gulf of Mexico for much of the world—but the debate over its identity and significance in the broader cultural and political landscape is far from over.
