On his first day in office, President Trump announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico in an executive order titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” sparking controversy and discussion over who gets to decide the names of places.
Digital mapping apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps quickly updated following Trump’s announcement to display the Gulf of America for U.S. users, reinforcing the order.
“As many scholars and political scientists have noted, erasing “Mexico” from the Gulf’s name and maps is an attempt to erase the significance of its history and cultural significance to the Mexican nation,” said Dr. Sandra Enríquez, an associate professor of history at UMKC.
Enríquez believes that while the mapping apps’ quick acceptance of the name change normalizes the concerning decision, it likely stems from a fear of financial and political backlash from the Trump administration.
President Trump’s retaliatory measures against the Associated Press (AP) for not using the new name reflects the very backlash the mapping apps might fear.
“The Trump administration has barred AP reporters from the Oval Office and Air Force One because the news agency has refused to use the new name in their publications and stylebook,” said Enríquez. “This is a dangerous threat to freedom of the press and the First Amendment.”
Dr. Greg Vonnahme, associate professor of political science, thinks the move is a symbolic gesture with negligible political or economic impact.
“No significant policy or program in any way hinges on it,” said Vonnahme. “It’s a symbolic gesture, and its significance depends on one’s perspective; whether supportive, opposed, or indifferent.”
Vonnahme notes that President Trump has re-re-named other geographic and governmental entities in the past, often reverting back to previous names.
“That’s not the case here,” said Vonnahme. “President Trump is creating a name change. In terms of the reasons for the change, there is no real way to know.”
Although the name change may seem inconsequential to some, Enríquez claims that in a time of heightened nationalism, it can bear dire consequences .
“For those who have studied Latin American history, this executive order is reminiscent of U.S. expansionism and imperialism in the region,” said Enríquez. “By taking a patriotic stance over the Gulf of Mexico, Trump is claiming ownership of the Gulf and its resources while further fueling anti-Mexican sentiment in the country.”
