Mapping a New Identity: President Trump’s Wave of Geographic Renamings

A Shift in Geographic Branding

Since returning to the White House for his second non-consecutive term, President Donald Trump has initiated a series of executive actions focused on renaming prominent landmarks, government buildings, and bodies of water. These changes, often framed by the administration as efforts to reflect national priorities, have sparked significant debate and logistical friction with international partners and technology companies.

The Gulf and the Mountain

The administration’s renaming efforts began in January 2025 with the signing of an executive order titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness.” This directive immediately targeted two major geographic features: the Gulf of Mexico and Denali. Under the order, the Gulf of Mexico was officially designated as the “Gulf of America.” Simultaneously, the administration moved to restore the name Mount McKinley to the Alaskan peak known as Denali. This reversed a 2015 decision by the Obama administration, which had officially recognized the Koyukon name “Denali,” meaning “the high one.”

While the executive order acknowledged that formal changes to public law typically require congressional action, it mandated that federal agencies adopt the new nomenclature immediately. Major technology firms, including Google and Apple, updated their mapping services to reflect these changes. However, the move was not universally accepted; the Associated Press maintained its use of the name “Gulf of Mexico,” a decision that reportedly led the White House to restrict the news organization’s access to certain press events.

Reversals in Military Infrastructure

Between February and June 2025, the administration turned its attention to military installations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a series of orders reversing the renaming of nine U.S. Army bases. The previous administration had renamed these facilities in 2023 to honor Medal of Honor recipients and diverse military heroes, moving away from names associated with Confederate leaders. Hegseth’s orders restored the original designations for Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Benning, Fort Pickett, Fort Lee, Fort Gordon, Fort Hood, Fort Polk, Fort Rucker, and Fort Bragg.

Tensions at Lake Ontario

In August 2026, the administration shifted its focus to the Great Lakes, renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” This decision coincided with a period of heightened trade tensions between the United States and Canada, characterized by the imposition of 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. While some of these tariffs have since been reversed, the renaming drew sharp criticism from Canadian observers, who emphasized that the lake’s identity remains tied to its historical and geographical context regardless of U.S. federal directives.

Future Ambitions: The “American Ocean”

President Trump has publicly suggested that his renaming campaign may extend to the world’s oceans. During recent rallies in Mississippi, Tennessee, and South Carolina, the president floated the possibility of renaming the Atlantic Ocean the “American Ocean” or the “Ocean of the Americas.” He also mentioned the potential for a “Trump Ocean.”

According to the president, these suggestions have met resistance from technology leaders. At a South Carolina rally, Trump claimed that Google CEO Sundar Pichai cautioned against the move, noting that oceans border numerous sovereign nations and are not subject to unilateral renaming. Despite this, the administration continues to explore the rebranding of other sites, including musing about renaming the state of New Mexico to “New America” and reclassifying the Strait of Hormuz as the “Trump Strait.”

Source: businessinsider.com