Mexico is not going to like this.
President-elect Donald Trump is making waves with bold plans for his first day in office, including renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali. According to a recent statement from his transition team spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, Trump intends to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and restore the original name of Alaska’s highest peak to Mount McKinley.
Trump’s proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico has stirred considerable attention. At a recent press conference, he explained that the name change was part of his broader vision to assert American sovereignty and national pride. “We’re going to change the name to the Gulf of America. It’s a beautiful name and it’s very fitting. Mexico needs to stop allowing millions of people to flood into our country,” Trump declared. This proposal is consistent with his America-first rhetoric, emphasizing the importance of American identity and control over its borders and resources.
The issue of Mount Denali’s name is another point of contention. Former President Obama renamed the peak to reflect the term used by local Native American tribes. However, many Ohio lawmakers, especially those from President William McKinley’s home state, pushed back, arguing that the mountain should retain the name honoring McKinley. Trump, who has long expressed admiration for McKinley’s presidency and his success as a businessman, promised to restore the name. At a Turning Point USA event in December, Trump remarked, “They took his name off Mount McKinley. He was a great president, and a successful businessman.”
These proposed changes have sparked debate, particularly with international leaders. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently criticized the Gulf of Mexico name change, arguing that it is an internationally recognized term. She even jokingly suggested the Gulf could be called “Mexican America,” drawing on historical maps. Despite the opposition, Trump’s plans reflect his commitment to reshaping America’s identity and asserting its power on the global stage.