Washington: The Trump administration’s Interior Department announced on Friday that the Gulf of Mexico has been officially renamed the “Gulf of America,” alongside the renaming of Alaska’s Denali to Mount McKinley.
The name changes were part of a series of executive actions signed by President Donald Trump shortly after taking office earlier this week, fulfilling a campaign promise.
“As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America, and North America’s highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley,” the Interior Department stated.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Alaska’s towering peak was originally named Mount McKinley in honor of former U.S. President William McKinley but was renamed Denali—meaning “tall” in the Koyukon Indigenous language—in 1975 at the state’s request.
“These 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,” the Interior Department added.
During his inaugural address, Trump highlighted McKinley’s contributions, stating, “McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent—he was a natural businessman.” McKinley, a Republican president from 1897 to 1901, presided over an expansionist era, adding Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico as U.S. territories. Hawaii later became a state.
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Controversy Over the Gulf of America
While the U.S. Geological Survey can update domestic maps to reflect the name “Gulf of America,” the change is unlikely to be internationally recognized. Mexico, which shares the Gulf’s coastline, has emphasized that the name “Gulf of Mexico” is widely recognized and has been a maritime navigational reference for centuries.
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Earlier this month, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum humorously suggested that North America, including the United States, be renamed “Mexican America,” referring to a historic term used on early maps of the region.
The decision to rename the Gulf has sparked debate, with critics arguing that such changes disregard international consensus and cultural history.
