Google has officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for US users. This comes just days after former President Donald Trump made the bold proclamation on February 9. Trump’s decision was made public in an event that even saw Air Force One fly over the newly renamed Gulf of America, marking the first time the iconic plane passed over the area under its new title.
This renaming is more than just Trump being Trump. It’s part of his broader plan to “honor American greatness” by renaming key geographical features. The US Geological Survey’s Geographic Names Information System now reflects the change, and Google has followed suit by updating the name on its platform. Interestingly, Google also revealed that the name of Mount Denali in Alaska will soon be changed back to Mount McKinley, after former President William McKinley, as per Trump’s executive orders.
For those who may not know, Denali, the highest peak in North America, was officially renamed by President Obama in 2015 to reflect the name used by Alaska Natives for centuries. But Trump’s orders are reversing that, causing an uproar among indigenous groups who have long fought for the Denali name to be kept intact. The Gulf of America change is similarly stirring up conversation. Critics argue that renaming these natural landmarks could further strain US-Mexico relations, which have already been tense since Trump took office.
This isn’t the first time Trump has shaken things up with his policies. His administration was known for imposing hefty tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada. In fact, Trump even threatened a full-blown trade war with these countries over steel and aluminum imports, only to back off at the last minute. But the move did harm relations, and this new renaming controversy could add fuel to the fire.
With the Gulf of America now official on Google and other platforms, it’s hard to predict where this will lead next. Trump has already promised to take control of Greenland and Canada, but will he actually follow through? The US-Mexico relationship is definitely one to watch as Trump’s renaming plans unfold. And now, with Google’s update, US users will have the Gulf of America on their maps—whether they like it or not.
