New Mexico Dems Defend State’s Name After Trump Suggests “New America”
9/7/2026 7:56:23 AM
Democratic officials in New Mexico came to the defense of their state's name on Sunday after President Donald Trump suggested renaming it "New America."
"New Mexico's name isn't up for debate -- it's been ours since before the United States existed. What is up for debate? Who's showing up for working families," New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement on X.
"While the president tries to distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran, gas prices keep soaring. Americans are also spending more at grocery stores, losing access to healthcare and wondering if they'll ever be able to afford a home," she said. "While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo Mexico is busy doing the work."
Since returning to office, Trump has used his executive powers to try and rechristen institutions, departments and even bodies of water, attracting staunch opposition from Democrats and critics.
On Sunday night, he posted a seemingly artificial intelligence-generated video of himself slapping an "America" sticker over Mexico on a "Welcome to New Mexico" road sign, altering it to read "New America."
"Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico, one of the great vote cheating states of all time, to NEW AMERICA," he said on his Truth Social media platform, though it was not clear which group of people he was referring to, nor did he explain the accusation made against the state's voting record, though he has falsely claimed that he won the state at least twice.
"So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people that potentially incredible State. Wow, I LOVE IT!!!"
New Mexico Democrats were quick t hit back against the president, accusing him of trying to distract from the war in Iran and his other policies they say are harming Americans.
"New Mexico's name is not up for debate. It has been here since long before the United States was even an idea," Rep. Melanie Stansbury said online.
"Why is the president spending his time making memes and harassing the people of our state -- while inflation is through the roof, gas prices are sky high, people cannot afford food, healthcare and housing, and he has dragged our country into an illegal war in the Middle East that has claimed the lives of American service members, wounded hundreds of soldiers and killed thousands of civilians?
"The answer is clear: Donald Trump has failed our country, failed our economy and failed our people -- and is seeking to distract and divide us."
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan said the state will always remain New Mexico.
"Just like how you'll always be a sinverguenza and corrupt," he said, referring to the president by the Spanish word meaning shameless person, scoundrel or rogue.
Among the places and institutions that Trump has attempted to remain since returning to office are the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Denali to Mount McKinley, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts and, the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and, most recently, Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Sen. Martin Heinrich said the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario and New Mexico are "three things I will always call by their actual names."
"New Mexico's name isn't up for debate -- it's been ours since before the United States existed. What is up for debate? Who's showing up for working families," New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement on X.
"While the president tries to distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran, gas prices keep soaring. Americans are also spending more at grocery stores, losing access to healthcare and wondering if they'll ever be able to afford a home," she said. "While the White House wastes time coloring on maps, Nuevo Mexico is busy doing the work."
Since returning to office, Trump has used his executive powers to try and rechristen institutions, departments and even bodies of water, attracting staunch opposition from Democrats and critics.
On Sunday night, he posted a seemingly artificial intelligence-generated video of himself slapping an "America" sticker over Mexico on a "Welcome to New Mexico" road sign, altering it to read "New America."
"Many people suggested changing the name of New Mexico, one of the great vote cheating states of all time, to NEW AMERICA," he said on his Truth Social media platform, though it was not clear which group of people he was referring to, nor did he explain the accusation made against the state's voting record, though he has falsely claimed that he won the state at least twice.
"So much more prestigious and beautiful for the people that potentially incredible State. Wow, I LOVE IT!!!"
New Mexico Democrats were quick t hit back against the president, accusing him of trying to distract from the war in Iran and his other policies they say are harming Americans.
"New Mexico's name is not up for debate. It has been here since long before the United States was even an idea," Rep. Melanie Stansbury said online.
"Why is the president spending his time making memes and harassing the people of our state -- while inflation is through the roof, gas prices are sky high, people cannot afford food, healthcare and housing, and he has dragged our country into an illegal war in the Middle East that has claimed the lives of American service members, wounded hundreds of soldiers and killed thousands of civilians?
"The answer is clear: Donald Trump has failed our country, failed our economy and failed our people -- and is seeking to distract and divide us."
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan said the state will always remain New Mexico.
"Just like how you'll always be a sinverguenza and corrupt," he said, referring to the president by the Spanish word meaning shameless person, scoundrel or rogue.
Among the places and institutions that Trump has attempted to remain since returning to office are the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Denali to Mount McKinley, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts and, the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and, most recently, Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Sen. Martin Heinrich said the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Ontario and New Mexico are "three things I will always call by their actual names."