You might have seen the headlines or heard the chatter at the dinner table lately: is Trump changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico? It sounds like one of those internet rumors that starts in a Facebook group and spirals out of control, but this time, there is actually a massive amount of truth behind it.
On his very first day back in the Oval Office—January 20, 2025—President Trump signed Executive Order 14172, titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness." This wasn't just a suggestion. It was a direct order to federal agencies to start calling the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America."
It’s a wild move. One day you’re looking at a map of the "Gulf of Mexico," and the next, federal employees are being told to scrub that name from their vocabulary. But before you start wondering if you need to buy all new globes, let's look at what this actually means for the average person and the rest of the world.
The Executive Order and the "Gulf of America"
Basically, Trump’s order focuses on the U.S. Continental Shelf. He’s essentially saying that the part of the water bounded by Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida should reflect "American Greatness." The Department of the Interior didn't waste any time, either. By January 24, 2025, they confirmed that all federal references would be updated to reflect the new name.
If you work for the federal government, you’re now using "Gulf of America" in your reports. If you're a scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), your maps are changing. Trump even went so far as to declare February 9, 2025, as "Gulf of America Day."
Why do this now?
The reasoning from the White House is pretty straightforward: it’s about "America First." They argue the Gulf is a vital asset for trade, energy, and tourism, and the name should reflect that national importance. It’s a rebranding of a massive geographic feature to fit a specific political vision.
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Honestly, it’s not the first time a name change has stirred the pot. Along with the Gulf, Trump also ordered the name of North America's highest peak to be changed back to Mount McKinley from Denali. If you remember, the Obama administration changed it to Denali in 2015 to honor Indigenous heritage. Trump’s move is a direct reversal of that.
Can he actually do that?
The short answer is yes—but with a lot of "buts."
Clancy Wilmott, a geography professor at UC Berkeley, pointed out that while a president can tell federal agencies what to do, he can't force the rest of the world to follow along. It’s mostly a symbolic power move. Mexico still calls it El Golfo de México. The United Kingdom has already said they aren’t changing their maps.
The Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which usually handles these things, is traditionally very slow to change names that are widely accepted. But an Executive Order carries a lot of weight, and the administration has signaled they are willing to shake up the board's membership to ensure the change sticks in federal records.
How tech giants like Google and Apple reacted
This is where it gets kind of weird for the rest of us. You’d think Google would just pick a side, right? Not exactly.
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In February 2025, Google Maps started showing different names based on where you are. If you’re sitting in Houston, your phone might say "Gulf of America." If you’re in Mexico City, it definitely still says "Gulf of Mexico." For everyone else, they’ve sometimes shown both.
Apple Maps and Bing followed a similar path. It’s a "localized" approach to geography that tech companies use to avoid getting sued or banned in certain countries. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum actually sued Google over this, arguing that U.S. sovereignty only extends 12 nautical miles from the coast and shouldn't affect how the entire body of water is labeled.
The backlash and the media wars
Not everyone is jumping on the "Gulf of America" bandwagon. In fact, a poll from early 2025 showed that about 72% of Americans actually opposed the renaming.
The media has become a bit of a battlefield over this too.
- Fox News and Axios started using the new name fairly quickly.
- The Associated Press (AP) refused.
- The White House actually banned AP reporters from certain events because they wouldn't use the new name.
There was even a legal showdown where a federal judge had to step in and tell the White House they couldn't kick out reporters just for using the "old" name. It’s a mess, frankly.
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Is Trump changing the name of the gulf of mexico forever?
Geography is usually slow to change, but political pressure is a hell of a drug. While the federal government is all-in on "Gulf of America," the private sector is split.
Trump’s own company, the Trump Organization, even had a hiccup. When they launched "Trump Mobile" in June 2025, their own coverage map accidentally used the name "Gulf of Mexico." They had to scramble to take it down and fix it. If the president's own company can't get it right on the first try, you can imagine how confusing it is for everyone else.
Historically, this body of water has been called the Gulf of Mexico for over 400 years. The name actually comes from a Native American city. Changing that kind of deep-rooted history isn't something that happens overnight, even with an Executive Order.
Actionable insights: what you should do
If you're confused about what to call it, you're not alone. Here's how to navigate the "Gulf of America" vs. "Gulf of Mexico" situation:
- Check your source: If you’re reading a government document or looking at a USGS map, expect to see "Gulf of America."
- Travel and Logistics: If you’re booking a flight or a cruise, most international systems still use "Gulf of Mexico." Don't let the name change trip you up when looking for travel info.
- School and Research: For students, it's a good idea to acknowledge both. Use "Gulf of Mexico" for international or historical context, but mention "Gulf of America" if you’re discussing current U.S. federal policy.
- Stay updated on Maps: Your GPS might change the name depending on which state you drive into. Just keep an eye on the little blue dot; the water is in the same place even if the label is different.
Ultimately, whether this name change lasts depends on the next election. A future president could just as easily sign another piece of paper and switch it back. For now, we're living in a world with two names for the same sea.