President Donald Trump revived his proposal to change New Mexico’s name on Monday, arguing that rebranding the state as “New America” would lift property values and household incomes. The suggestion, posted on Truth Social, immediately got pushback from elected officials across the political spectrum.
Donald Trump renews his call for renaming New Mexico
Trump used his social media account to demand the switch happen “immediately,” insisting, “We are not Mexico, we are the United States of America!” He predicted the new name would “add great value and prestige to the State,” adding that “Home Values and Incomes would rise.” The president also questioned the state’s elections, writing, “Maybe even the Crooked Elections, that New Mexico is known for, would become honest again!”
Monday’s message echoes an earlier push Trump made in early September, which sparked condemnations from state and federal officials alike. This time, Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), who is competing for the 2nd Congressional District seat, fired back at Trump and challenged his opponent, Greg Cunningham, a former Marine and Albuquerque police officer. “Greg Cunningham’s boss is doubling down on this ridiculous proposal,” Vasquez wrote. He also questioned why the president wasn’t focused on lowering costs for Americans.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Gregg Hull, who rejected the idea in September, stood firm on Monday: “New Mexico does not need a new name,” he said. “Our identity is defined by our rich culture, our beautiful landscape, and the resilience of our people.” Additionally, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham mocked the recurring proposal on Facebook, asking what policy failure Trump was trying to distract from, and declared the state would remain New Mexico “forevermore.” Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver also pushed back on Trump’s election criticism, pointing to New Mexico’s seventh-place national ranking in MIT’s 2024 Elections Performance Index.
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján noted the state’s name predates the United States by centuries, saying, “Long after Donald Trump is out of office, we’ll still be New Mexico.” All in all, Trump’s rename push appears headed nowhere, with officials from both parties united in keeping New Mexico’s name.
