[REVISION HISTORY]

US geographic renaming efforts and mapping disputes

Updated 94 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-20 10:14 UTC → 2026-10-22 03:56 UTC · added ~~removed~~

President Donald Trump has expanded his geographic renaming efforts through executive orders, sparking international tension and domestic debate. Following the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” the administration has proposed renaming New Mexico to “New America.” Trump argued on social media that the change would be more “prestigious and beautiful” and would distinguish the state from Mexico, stating, “We are not Mexico. We are the United States of America!” New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has rejected the proposal, noting the name predates the United States and is “not a matter for debate.” Legal experts have added that the president lacks the unilateral authority to rename a state, as such a change would require formal constitutional amendment procedures. Trump has renewed this proposal on Truth Social, claiming the rebranding could boost property values, resident incomes, and even lead to “more honest elections.” The Lake Ontario designation has caused significant friction with Canada. While digital platforms like Google Maps show “Lake America” to U.S. users, ~~Canadian users continue~~ MapQuest has officially declined to ~~see~~ adopt the new moniker, opting to maintain the traditional ~~name.~~ name to ensure “user familiarity and product integrity.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ~~responded by stating~~ has maintained that the lake ~~would remain~~ remains Ontario “before, now and always.” ~~This dispute has coincided with broader trade and tariff tensions between the two nations.~~ Domestic friction has also grown as lawmakers propose further changes, such as a resolution in Pennsylvania to rename Lake Erie to “Lake Pennsylvania.” ~~These moves have faced criticism from Native American tribes regarding the erasure of Indigenous history.~~ During a campaign rally, Trump ~~also~~ claimed Google rejected a proposal to rename the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans to “Trump Ocean” or “America’s Ocean,” though he ~~noted he was “joking this time.”~~ characterized the remark as a joke.

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