Donald Trump celebrated on Monday, February 10, 2025, the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Google Maps, following one of the executive orders he signed shortly after returning to the White House at the end of January. The widely used mapping service now displays "Gulf of America" for users located within the United States, indicating the sea bordered by Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Mexico, and Cuba.
Trump exclaimed on his social media platform, Truth Social, "GULF OF AMERICA!" alongside a modified map of the region, sharing the link to his proclamation designatiing February 9 as Gulf of America Day. The White House's official account on X also echoed this sentiment with the message: "GULF OF AMERICA on @GoogleMaps." This change reflects the broader efforts by Trump to assert his vision for America, including displaying more patriotic highlights on maps.
Google had explained at the end of January the rationale behind these naming changes, which stem from official government sources, particularly the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) used by U.S. federal agencies. Notably, users based in Mexico will still see the traditional "Golfo de México" on Google Maps, adhering to the preferences of the Mexican government.
While Trump champions the renaming, asserting it marks the Gulf as "an indelible part of America," the decision has raised diplomatic concerns. The Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, criticized the alteration, proposing humorously to rename the United States as "Mexican America," referencing historical maps from the 17th century where significant parts of North America bore this name.
The name "Gulf of America" will also appear for users globally, but as per Google's policy, where regional preferences are applicable, users outside the U.S. will see both names, such as "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)". The former name is conspicuously absent on the U.S. version of Google Maps, leading to contention over national identity and territorial claims.
Historically, renaming geographical features has been common, and during his presidential campaign, Trump often touted the significance of reclaiming American identity through such actions. The Gulf of Mexico is particularly important for the U.S. economy, serving as a hub for oil production and fisheries—two areas Trump consistently defends as central to the country’s production capability and leisure activities.
Critics of the name change have framed it as primarily political posturing, particularly as Google Maps is used globally. The repercussions of the change are not merely cartographic; they touch upon sensitive nationalistic feelings, especially within Mexico, where the acknowledgment of the Gulf's historical name has deep-rooted cultural significance.
Trump's administration previously aimed to reestablish historical names to reflect American values. Alongside the Gulf name change, the president mentioned reestablishing the former name of Denali, North America's highest peak, to its earlier designation, Mount McKinley, which was changed back by President Barack Obama amid indigenous requests. Currently, the name Denali remains unchanged.
Concerns over the name change extend beyond mere nomenclature; they reflect the delicate balance of U.S.-Mexico relations. The Mexican government’s insistence on the traditional name emphasizes national pride and territorial identity, complicates diplomatic discussions, and suggests potential future tensions.
Critiques of Trump’s decree have included academic and cultural commentators who indicate the renaming project reflects broader patterns of erasure of shared histories and local identities for nationalistic agendas. They argue history is not merely about names but about the stories embedded within them.
Internationally, the name change has been met with mixed reactions. Some see it as Trump’s attempt to strengthen his base by echoing patriotic sentiments surrounding geographical identity. Others are concerned about the implication it poses for future U.S. foreign relations, particularly with neighbors like Mexico.
While Google Maps has taken action on the name to comply with U.S. government requests, the platform remains under scrutiny for how it handles differing international naming conventions, particularly contentious areas globally. Users on Apple Maps have noticed the name remains the Gulf of Mexico, indicating corporate caution alongside political pressures.
The broader impact of this renaming could resonate through tourism, education, and even environmental policies which govern the Gulf region, as perceptions of identity shape real-world interactions. For now, Trump’s decree has firmly placed the Gulf of America in the public consciousness, and the effects of this decision remain to be fully understood.