Florida renames Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed legislation officially renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" in state law and educational materials.

On April 14, DeSantis approved two bills—HB 575 and HB 549—that mandate the use of "Gulf of America" in state documents and public school textbooks, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The rebranding follows former President Donald Trump’s executive order titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness," which called for renaming the Gulf of Mexico and reverting Alaska’s Denali back to Mount McKinley.

State Senators Nick DiCeglie and Joe Gruters, who sponsored the bills, were present for the signing ceremony at the Capitol, posing with DeSantis while holding road signs labeled “Gulf of America” and blue Sharpies.

“Florida is proud to follow the leadership of President Trump as the first state to officially recognize the Gulf of America,” said Sen. DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach. “American exceptionalism isn’t an abstract idea. It is an absolute fact that we must recognize and celebrate.”

Sen. Gruters, R-Sarasota, added: “These bills ensure we reflect that fact across state government and, most importantly, in our schools. It is our responsibility to ensure our children understand American greatness.”

Under the new law, state agencies and school districts will be required to adopt instructional materials reflecting the name change starting July 1. All newly purchased geographic resources and media center additions must now refer to the Gulf as the “Gulf of America.”

Conspicuously absent from the bill signing ceremony were members of the Florida House of Representatives. The omission comes amid ongoing tensions between Governor DeSantis and House GOP leadership, particularly over transparency concerns surrounding First Lady Casey DeSantis' "Hope Florida" initiative—a program billed as a conservative alternative to welfare.

By Khagan Isayev