Trump urges New Mexico to become "New America" promising higher home values

President Donald Trump has again urged that New Mexico be renamed "New America", claiming the change would lift property prices and household incomes. He posted the suggestion on his Truth Social account, arguing the state belongs to the United States, not Mexico. In the same post he said the new name would add prestige, raise home values, increase incomes and make residents prouder of the American flag. He also hinted that the state's reputation for "crooked elections" might improve. The idea first appeared last month when Trump shared a map that crossed out the word "Mexico" and replaced it with "America". The White House later amplified the message on its X account, drawing criticism from state officials. At the Republican National Committee's midterm convention on September 9, Trump repeated the proposal, saying people liked the suggestion. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham dismissed the plan, stating the state's name is not up for debate and has existed since before the United States. She accused the administration of focusing on a distraction while her government works on childcare, education, health care and housing. No formal process has been started to rename the state, and the name is locked in Article I of the state constitution. A president cannot change a state's legal name by social media post or executive order. The rename push follows earlier efforts by Trump, including a 2025 directive to call the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" and an August order to label Lake Ontario as "Lake America" for U.S. use, which prompted objections from Canadian leaders.

Context

Renaming places has become a recurring theme in Trump's agenda, reflecting his broader aim to reshape national symbols. Such changes require legislative action and constitutional amendment, not just presidential statements.