Gabby Miller | Writer
February 13, 2025
As of Sunday, February 9th, 2025, President Trump has declared the Gulf of Mexico to now be titled the Gulf of America. This proclamation has caused a lot of controversy as critics see it as unnecessary and nationalistic. Some even labeled the Executive Order as imperialistic, sparking a heated debate over many social media platforms.
Furthermore, many were in disbelief after hearing the announcement until they checked both Apple and Google Maps to find the Gulf was officially renamed, leading many to question the intent behind this change.
Trump declared his action as “even bigger than the Super Bowl,” however, many disagree. Junior Kai Wells commented on his decision and argued how “it was really unnecessary and overall, just turning back to imperialistic policies and governing.” Critics believe that the renaming illustrated overall nationalistic ideals that disregard the history behind the Gulf, highlighting how it could fuel tensions between Mexico and America.
While many people disagree with Trump, he argues in his proclamation that “[t]he area, formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico, has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America.” He emphasized the need for the preservation of natural resources located in the Gulf, such as oil, fish, natural gas, and trade routes, arguing that this renaming will help solidify the United States’ access to the region.
Despite Trump’s attempted praise of his own actions, people continue to question this act. Sophomore Evan Potwora described Trump’s choice as “symbolic of his distractions against changing things that actually matter to the American People.” Potwora’s perspective suggests that rather than addressing more relevant and pressing issues, like healthcare, education, or income inequality, Trump grabs the attention of America through the renaming to take away attention from these more relevant and pressing issues.
Potwora added how “apart from being insignificant to helping the American people, it is foreshadowing of how his next 4 years will not live up to his promises.” Potwora alluded to the idea that this renaming may be a warning sign of Trump’s second term, including more illusive gestures than concrete action. Trump’s alleged focus on publicity rather than progress possibly shows how little of a concern he has for the American people.
For people like Potwora, this action is just the beginning of publicity stunts being prioritized over effective governing. This renaming leaves many in the dark, questioning how President Donald Trump’s second term will go.
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