SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is responding after President Donald Trump suggested changing the state’s name to “New America” in a series of social media posts over the weekend.
The exchange began after a false online claim circulated alleging Trump had signed an executive order renaming New Mexico. While that rumor was quickly debunked, the president later shared a modified map showing New Mexico relabeled as “New America” and posted on Truth Social that the proposed name would be “much more prestigious and beautiful.”
Trump later wrote that “many people” had suggested the name change and said he liked the idea.
Lujan Grisham responded Sunday on X, arguing that New Mexico’s identity is not up for debate.
“New Mexico’s name isn’t up for debate — it’s been ours since before the United States existed,” the governor wrote.
She also criticized the president for focusing on the issue, saying elected leaders should instead be addressing concerns affecting working families. In her post, Lujan Grisham pointed to issues including housing, health care, education, and the cost of living.
The governor also highlighted policies implemented in New Mexico under her administration, including investments in child care, higher education, and housing initiatives.
The online back-and-forth comes amid renewed national attention on geographic names after Trump recently signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America.”
No proposal to officially rename New Mexico has been introduced, and there is no indication any formal action is being considered.
