New Mexicans slam Trump’s threat to change state’s name

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Published: 2026-09-09T15:50:36.682Z • Permanent link

Residents of New Mexico are up in arms after former US President Donald Trump suggested changing the state's name to 'New America'. The proposal was met with swift backlash from the state's residents, who argue that the name change would be a blatant attempt to erase the state's unique cultural identity. Trump's suggestion was made during a Labor Day weekend speech at a Republican retreat in New Hampshire, where he stated that he had previously proposed renaming New Mexico 'New America' in an effort to make it sound more "American".

New Mexico's residents, however, were quick to denounce the suggestion, with many taking to social media to express their outrage. "We're proud to be New Mexico, and we won't let some politician's tweet change that," said one resident. The New Mexico State Legislature has since released a statement condemning Trump's suggestion, stating that the state's name is an integral part of its history and identity. The state's tourism board has also gotten in on the action, releasing a statement assuring visitors that the state's name will remain unchanged.

Despite the backlash, some Republicans have defended Trump's suggestion, arguing that it was meant as a joke. "It was clearly a joke, folks," said one Republican strategist. "No one actually thinks we should change the name of New Mexico to 'New America'." However, others have pointed out that Trump's use of the phrase 'satire' to describe the suggestion may not have been immediately clear to everyone, and that the proposal has sparked a wider conversation about the state's name.

The potential name change to 'New America' has significant implications for the data sources that track and analyze the state's economy and demographics. Companies like the US Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics rely on data from New Mexico to inform their research and policy recommendations. If the state's name were to change, these data sources would need to be revised, potentially leading to delays and inaccuracies in their research.

The potential name change also has implications for the research communities that study New Mexico's economy and culture. Researchers at institutions like the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University rely on data from the state to inform their research and publications. A name change would require them to update their data and research methodologies, potentially leading to delays and disruptions in their work.

The proposal to change New Mexico's name to 'New America' is part of a larger trend of politicians and pundits using social media to shape public opinion and advance their own agendas. This trend has been fueled by the rise of social media platforms like Twitter, where politicians and pundits can quickly share their views and engage with their followers. However, this trend has also led to concerns about the spread of misinformation and the erosion of civil discourse.