Trump’s ‘Gulf of America’ Renaming Idea Sparks Frenzy, Texas Gov. Abbott Proposes ‘Gulf of Texas’

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined the growing debate on renaming the Gulf of Mexico after President-elect Donald Trump declared plans to rename it the “Gulf of America” during a news conference on Tuesday. Abbott added his own twist, suggesting a Texas-centric name instead.

“If we are going to rename things …. this is the move,” Abbott wrote on X, sharing a map labeled “Gulf of Texas.” The governor’s post quoted a suggestion from The Salty Dog Galveston, a vacation rental property that first floated the Texas-inspired idea. Their original post, viewed over 230,000 times, cheekily added, “We all know what it really is…”

The renaming saga began when Trump, speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort, vowed to change the Gulf’s name to “Gulf of America.” This quickly led Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) to announce plans to introduce legislation supporting the proposal. The idea even prompted a response from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who trolled Trump by displaying a vintage map labeling much of the current U.S. as “Mexican America.”

Renaming a significant geographical feature like the Gulf of Mexico is no simple task. According to KPRC-TV in Houston, such changes require “proposals from governments, discussions among bordering countries, and possibly input from international organizations like the UNGEGN.” Within the U.S., the U.S. Board on Geographic Names oversees name changes, but international acceptance is critical for updates to global maps and documents.

The proposal has also sparked criticism and humor online, with many questioning the practicality and diplomatic consequences of such a move. For Texas, Abbott’s playful suggestion highlights the state’s pride and ties to the Gulf, while Trump’s broader “Gulf of America” idea continues to generate international reactions.

As debates about renaming the Gulf swirl, the logistics and international cooperation needed for such a change remain daunting. Whether this renaming saga gains serious traction or fades as political posturing remains to be seen, but it has certainly sparked a wave of spirited reactions across borders.