Trump renames Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali on day one in office

Washington, DC: Donald Trump ordered the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska’s Mount Denali in his first hours as the 47th president of United States on Monday night. While the Gulf of Mexico will be renamed the Gulf of America, Mount Denali, the highest mountain in North America that was renamed by then President Barack Obama in 2015, will revert to its previous name, Mount McKinley.

Karoline Leavitt, incoming White House Press Secretary, confirmed the executive orders on Monday, stating that these actions reflect Trump’s commitment to "bringing common sense to government and renewing the pillars of American Civilization." The order directs the interior secretary to institute the names within 30 days and update the federal Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) accordingly, meaning 'Gulf of America' and 'Mount McKinley' will be used in federal communications and on government maps.

'The naming of our national treasures, including breathtaking natural wonders and historic works of art, should honour the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans in our nation’s rich past,' the document read.

Mount McKinley

Trump has repeatedly voiced his desire to restore the name of Mount McKinley, originally named after President William McKinley, highlighting the former president's accomplishments as a businessman and leader. Trump revisited the topic during a rally late last year, following his election.

"McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president," Trump said in December. "They took his name off Mount McKinley, right? That’s what they do to people."

The renaming of Mount Denali, which had been renamed in 2015 following a request from the Alaska legislature, is part of a broader series of executive actions that Trump plans to take on his first day in office.

Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico, a key economic resource for the United States, will now officially be referred to as the Gulf of America. The order highlighted the Gulf's long-standing importance to the nation’s economy, stating, "The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had previously responded to Trump's comments on the Gulf of America renaming with humour, suggesting that the US should be renamed 'Mexican America' while standing in front of a colonial-era map during a press conference. The renaming of both landmarks reflects Trump’s broader efforts to enact his campaign promises.

Trump's administration has indicated that these actions represent the beginning of a 'Golden Age of America', with promises made during the campaign being swiftly enacted once he assumes office. These actions are expected to focus on fulfilling campaign promises, particularly around immigration and rolling back DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives.