Trump calls on New Mexico to change name to 'New America'

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on October 19, 2026, urging New Mexico to change its name to 'New America.' Trump asserted the change would boost home values, incomes, and election integrity. The proposal follows similar executive orders targeting Lake Ontario and the Gulf of Mexico. However, state constitutional rules require a legislative amendment and voter approval. Leaders across both parties, including Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Senator Ben Ray Luján, and candidates Deb Haaland and Gregg Hull, swiftly rejected the demand, pointing to the region's centuries-old heritage.

Trump proposes renaming New Mexico

• ▪President Donald Trump claimed that renaming New Mexico to 'New America' would increase home values and incomes, build state pride, and eliminate alleged election fraud
• ▪President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on October 19, 2026, demanding that New Mexico immediately change its name to 'New America'
• ▪President Donald Trump previously floated renaming New Mexico in September 2026, sharing an altered map and discussing the idea at the RNC Midterm Convention

New Mexico leaders reject proposal

• ▪New Mexico Democratic Senator Ben Ray Luján stated on October 19, 2026, that New Mexicans are proud of their historical name, New Mexico, and intend to keep it
• ▪Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland urged President Donald Trump on social media to focus on ending war, stopping tariffs, and lowering costs rather than renaming New Mexico
• ▪New Mexico Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland and Republican candidate Gregg Hull both rejected President Donald Trump's proposal to rename the state
• ▪New Mexico Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected President Donald Trump's renaming proposal, stating that the state's name has existed since before the United States was formed

Constitutional requirements for renaming New Mexico

• ▪Renaming New Mexico requires a constitutional amendment passed by the state legislature and subsequently approved by voters in a statewide ballot initiative
• ▪Article I of the New Mexico Constitution explicitly states that 'The name of this state is New Mexico'

Trump's other geographic renaming proposals

• ▪President Donald Trump mentioned at a Tennessee campaign rally earlier this month that he was considering proposals to rename the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean
• ▪President Donald Trump previously issued executive orders seeking to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' in August 2026 and the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America' in 2025

Competitive 2026 New Mexico midterm races

• ▪New Mexico features key competitive 2026 midterm races, including the governorship and the 2nd Congressional District held by Democratic Representative Gabe Vasquez
• ▪President Donald Trump has not issued an endorsement for Republican candidate Gregg Hull in the 2026 New Mexico gubernatorial race
• ▪In New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District race, Republican challenger Greg Cunningham trailed Democratic incumbent Representative Gabe Vasquez by four points in recent polling ahead of November's midterm elections