The Interior Department of the Trump administration announced on Friday that the Gulf of Mexico will officially be renamed the Gulf of America. Additionally, the Alaskan peak Denali will revert to its former name, Mount McKinley.

 

The Interior Department stated, "As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North America's highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley."

 

Historically, Denali, which means "tall" in the Koyukon Indigenous language, was named Mount McKinley in honor of former President William McKinley, who served from 1897 to 1901. The name was officially changed back to Denali in 1975 at the request of the state of Alaska.

 

The department emphasized that these name changes reflect a commitment to preserving the nation's heritage, asserting, "These changes reaffirm the Nation's commitment to preserving the extraordinary heritage of the US and ensuring that future generations of Americans celebrate the legacy of its heroes and historic assets."

 

In his inaugural address, Trump praised McKinley, stating, "He made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent - he was a natural businessman."

 

During McKinley’s presidency, the US expanded its territories to include Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico, with Hawaii later becoming a state.

 

While Trump has the authority to direct the US Geological Survey to alter the names used domestically, the likelihood of international recognition for the Gulf of America remains low. Mexico, which shares a long coastline with this body of water, has indicated that the Gulf of Mexico name is widely recognized and has served as a maritime navigational reference for centuries.

 

In a light-hearted response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently suggested that North America, including the US, could be humorously renamed "Mexican America," referencing a historic name found on early maps of the region.