In a move that raised both eyebrows and debates, President Donald Trump used one of his first executive orders to rename two iconic geographical landmarks: the Gulf of Mexico and Denali in Alaska. True to his campaign promises, Trump rebranded the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” emphasizing its economic importance and symbolic connection to the United States. The body of water, which borders Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, now bears a name that Trump believes better reflects its critical role in America’s prosperity.
Trump’s executive order tasked the Secretary of the Interior with formalizing the name change within 30 days. Even before the official deadline, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis referred to the body of water as the “Gulf of America” in a state of emergency declaration for winter weather. However, outside U.S. borders, the renaming is not binding. International maps and resources, including Google Maps, continue to label it the Gulf of Mexico, highlighting the limits of Trump’s unilateral decision on the global stage.
As part of the same executive order, Trump reverted Denali in Alaska to its former name, “Mount McKinley,” in honor of President William McKinley, the nation’s 25th commander-in-chief. McKinley, who never set foot in Alaska, had been the mountain’s namesake until 2015, when former President Barack Obama restored its original Koyukon Athabascan name, Denali, meaning “the high one” or “the great one.” Trump’s decision to change the name back to Mount McKinley underscores his preference for honoring traditional American historical figures over indigenous heritage.
The name change for the mountain, like the Gulf, is set to take effect within 30 days. However, Denali National Park and Preserve, the expansive natural area surrounding the peak, will retain its current name. Trump’s directive also called on the Secretary of the Interior to collaborate with Alaska Native entities and local organizations to recognize other landmarks that celebrate the rich history and culture of Alaska’s indigenous peoples—an apparent attempt to balance the controversial decision.
Trump’s renaming orders have drawn mixed reactions. Supporters see these moves as part of his larger effort to reclaim symbols of American identity and heritage, while critics argue they disregard cultural sensitivities and historical context. The debate over whether such symbolic actions are meaningful or merely distractions continues, but Trump’s willingness to tackle even geographical branding demonstrates his commitment to leaving a distinctive mark on the country—whether everyone agrees with it or not.
