Trump says he once wanted to rename Gulf of Mexico after himself, revisits idea in remarks

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said he once considered renaming the Gulf of Mexico after himself, revisiting an idea he has previously floated in remarks.

Speaking during a recent address, Trump said the thought had crossed his mind again, adding to earlier comments where he suggested alternative names for the body of water. The remarks reflected a continued pattern of revisiting symbolic renaming ideas tied to geographic landmarks.

Trump revisits idea of renaming Gulf of Mexico

Trump has previously proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” describing it in earlier statements as a more fitting designation.

During a dinner for the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said he had even considered a more personal option.

“I was thinking about seriously calling it the Gulf of Trump,” he said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.

“I really was, but I was told by some very wise people, ‘Please don’t do that.’ That is what I don’t think would’ve worked,” he added.

Trump recalls call with Claudia Sheinbaum over renaming proposal

The president also recalled a phone conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, referring to her reaction to reports about the proposal.

“The president of Mexico called me. She’s not too fond of me anymore, but when she heard about it, she was hurt. It was put in some paper … It was leaked that I was going to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,” Trump said.

“And she’s a beautiful woman … I never like to talk about beauty, because it’s usually the end of a political career. If you say somebody’s a beautiful woman, they say, ‘What a terrible, terrible thing.’ Everybody hates it except the woman that you’re talking about, they love it,” he continued.

Gulf renaming idea part of broader symbolic messaging approach

The renaming discussion fits into a broader pattern of symbolic policy and messaging decisions during Trump’s presidency, where geographic and institutional names were occasionally revisited.

However, experts note that international bodies of water are governed by shared usage and consensus among nations, limiting the scope of unilateral changes. While US agencies can adopt internal naming conventions, global recognition remains unchanged.

Trump’s remarks did not include any new policy announcement, but instead revisited a proposal that has previously drawn public attention and debate.

The Gulf of Mexico, bordered by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba, remains a major hub for energy production and international trade, making any naming discussion geopolitically sensitive.