Trump's Executive Order Renames Gulf of Mexico and Denali

Trump's Executive Order Renames Gulf of Mexico and Denali

Google Maps will soon reflect changes in the names of two prominent geographic locations following a directive from the Trump administration. The Gulf of Mexico will be renamed the Gulf of America in the U.S., while Alaska's Denali will revert to its former name, Mount McKinley. The changes come as part of executive actions issued by President Donald Trump shortly after taking office.

The U.S. Interior Department confirmed the updates last week, citing the President’s campaign promise to restore traditional names. While the Gulf of America name will be visible to U.S. users, Mexican users will continue to see "Gulf of Mexico." Globally, Google Maps will display both names for clarity. Similarly, Mount McKinley will replace Denali in the U.S., aligning with the administration's directive.

Google Maps, owned by Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), announced these updates via its official X account, stating they would align with the U.S. Geographic Names System. The name changes underscore Trump's efforts to prioritize traditional U.S. heritage and identity in official records.

The decisions have drawn varied reactions, with some applauding the move as a nod to history, while others criticize it as unnecessary. These updates mark a significant shift in how these landmarks will be represented digitally and geographically in the future.