TRUMP PROPOSES RENAMING NEW MEXICO ‘NEW AMERICA'
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after suggesting that the state of New Mexico could be renamed “New America.” The proposal has drawn criticism from residents, political figures and cultural voices who argue that the state's historic identity should not be changed through a presidential announcement. Trump promoted the idea on social media during the Labor Day weekend, sharing maps that displayed New Mexico under the proposed name. He described the name as attractive and prestigious, but his suggestion immediately triggered debate over whether a president has the authority to rename a U.S. state. GOVERNOR REJECTS IDEA New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the proposal, making clear that the state's name was not open for debate. Critics have also pointed to the state's long history and cultural identity. New Mexico's name is closely connected to centuries of Native American, Spanish and Mexican history, while the state h...