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From Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America: Trump’s Controversial Rename

From Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America: Trump’s Controversial Rename

In a decisive move during his first hours as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump issued executive orders to rename two iconic geographical landmarks. The Gulf of Mexico is now officially the “Gulf of America,” while Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America, reverts to its former name, Mount McKinley. These changes, which reflect Trump’s emphasis on American heritage and historical legacy, mark the beginning of what his administration is calling a “Golden Age of America.”

Figure 1: President Donald Trump signing order in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington. (credits: Evan Vucci)

Gulf of Mexico Becomes the Gulf of America

President Trump’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America signals a symbolic effort to reassert national identity. The order acknowledges the Gulf’s critical role in the United States’ economy, encompassing offshore oil production, international commerce, fishing, tourism, and recreation. Trump described the renaming as a “common-sense measure” to highlight the region’s importance to the nation.

At a press conference held in Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, “It’s a beautiful name, and it’s appropriate. The Gulf of America reflects our energy independence and national strength.”

While the executive order primarily mandates the name change in federal communications and maps, it does not require non-federal entities such as schools or private organisations to adopt the new nomenclature.

Figure 2: Map of Gulf of Mexico with crossed out Guff of Mexico as per Donald Trump’s decision (credits: AP Photo/Evan Vucci/Google)

Mount Denali Reverts to Mount McKinley

The decision to restore the name Mount McKinley has been another key element of Trump’s focus on honouring American presidents. Initially named in 1917 after the 25th president, William McKinley, the peak was officially renamed Denali by President Barack Obama in 2015 to honour the indigenous Koyukon Athabaskan people.

Trump revisited the renaming during campaign rallies, often referring to President McKinley as “a great leader and a successful businessman.” According to the executive order, this change aligns with Trump’s vision of restoring American heritage. “President McKinley gave his life for our great nation and deserves to be recognised for his contributions to our economic and territorial expansion,” the order states.

Read More: Trump Signs Executive Order to Withdraw U.S. from WHO

Public and Political Reactions

The announcements have received mixed reactions domestically and internationally. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis swiftly adopted the term “Gulf of America,” issuing a state order referencing the new name. However, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded with humour, suggesting during a press conference that the United States itself might consider renaming to “Mexican America.” Hillary Clinton burst out laughing when Donald Trump announced this.

In Alaska, reactions to the restoration of Mount McKinley have been divided. While some residents welcomed the return to the historic name, others criticised it as erasing indigenous heritage. Environmental groups and native organisations expressed disappointment, citing the cultural significance of the name Denali.

Trump’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali has sparked debate among historians, environmentalists, and political analysts. Supporters view it as a symbolic restoration of American heritage, while critics argue it disregards the cultural and historical significance attached to the original names, particularly Denali, which reflects Alaska’s Indigenous heritage.

Administrative Implementation

The executive orders direct the Secretary of the Interior to update the federal Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) within 30 days, ensuring that “Gulf of America” and “Mount McKinley” appear in federal communications and on government maps. However, the orders stop short of mandating changes in educational curricula or private sector usage, leaving adoption largely optional outside federal contexts.

Figure 3: President Trump after being sworn as 47th President (Credit Mary Gash/Pool)

Conclusion

These initial moves by President Trump underscore his commitment to enacting bold changes reflective of his campaign promises. The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali is emblematic of his broader vision of restoring what he considers traditional American values. While supporters celebrate these decisions as steps toward revitalising national pride, critics argue they overlook cultural sensitivities and international implications.

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