Former President Donald Trump has raised the possibility of renaming the U.S. state of New Mexico to "New America," according to a report from EL PAÍS. The suggestion was made in a post on his own social media platform.
The Spanish-language outlet EL PAÍS reported the news on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Trump's post included a map that appeared to show the state labeled with the proposed new name, according to CNN en Español. The idea follows a previous proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico as "Gulf of America," as noted by ABC.es.
Several outlets, including Diario Público and El Mundo, have also covered the statement. The reports indicate that Trump floated the idea without providing a detailed rationale or a formal proposal. No official process for changing a state's name has been initiated, and the suggestion appears to be an informal social media post rather than a legislative effort.
The state of New Mexico has carried its current name since it became a U.S. territory in the 19th century. Any formal renaming would require action by both the state legislature and the U.S. Congress, a process that has not been mentioned in the reports.
The reaction from New Mexico's political leaders has not been detailed in the available reporting. The proposal has drawn attention primarily because it comes from a former president with a history of using social media to float unconventional ideas.
Observers will be watching whether Trump expands on the proposal in future posts or whether it remains a one-off comment. The reports so far do not indicate any follow-up statement from Trump or his team.
