President Donald Trump has called for New Mexico to be renamed "New America," prompting backlash from state Democrats and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Trump Says Name Change Could Boost Incomes

On Monday, in a Truth Social post, Trump called on New Mexico to change its name, arguing that the state belongs to the United States, not Mexico.

"We are not Mexico, we are the United States of America!" Trump wrote.

He also said that a name change would increase home values and incomes. Trump further suggested it could address what he described as "Crooked Elections" in the state, repeating his unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud.

In September, Trump shared an edited map of New Mexico that crossed out "Mexico" and replaced it with "America."

Can Trump Legally Rename New Mexico?

The proposal comes as Republicans face uncertainty over retaining their congressional majorities in the November midterm elections. Polling cited in the report suggests voters believe Trump isn't paying enough attention to the country's pressing problems, CNN reported.

Trump has also pursued other geographic renaming efforts, including changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and proposing "Lake America" for Lake Ontario. He has also floated calling the Strait of Hormuz the "Trump Strait."

However, the president cannot unilaterally change a state's legal name. Such a change would require action within the state, the report said.

New Mexico's name dates to the 16th century, predating the founding of the U.S.

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham dismissed Trump's proposal, saying, "New Mexico was New Mexico long before the United States existed and we'll be New Mexico forevermore."

In a post on X, she added: "This tired New America bit again? You have to ask, what policy failure is Trump trying to distract Americans from this time? Let me repeat: New Mexico was New Mexico long before the United States existed and we'll be New Mexico forevermore."

Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) also defended the state's identity, saying its name represents generations of history, culture and traditions.

"New Mexico's name dates back hundreds of years, long before the United States even existed. It carries generations of history, culture, and rich traditions that continue to shape who we are," he wrote on X. "We are New Mexicans. We're proud of our name, proud of our home, and we're keeping both."

Bernie Sanders Slams Iran War, Cites Fuel Prices

Sanders also pushed back against Trump's demand, arguing that Americans have more urgent concerns.

In a post on X, Sanders called on Trump to end what he described as the "illegal Iran War," citing gasoline prices of $4.30 per gallon, diesel at $6.30 and heating oil at $6.04.

"No, Mr. Trump. The American people don't want you to immediately rename New Mexico to New America," Sanders wrote. "They want you to immediately end your illegal Iran War that is forcing Americans to pay $4.30 a gallon for gas, $6.30 a gallon for diesel & $6.04 a gallon for heating oil. Enough."

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average price of regular gasoline is $4.2953 per gallon, diesel stands at $6.3187 and E85 costs $3.3123 per gallon.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by MarketDash editors.