Trump renames Gulf of Mexico and Denali Peak in major executive actions Google Maps rolls out update

In a controversial move, US President Donald Trump has ordered significant changes to the names of iconic geographical landmarks as part of a series of executive actions issued shortly after his inauguration.

The Gulf of Mexico is to be officially renamed the "Gulf of America," and Denali Peak, the highest mountain in North America, will be reverted back to its historical name, Mount McKinley, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media sources.

The US Department of the Interior confirmed the name changes in a statement released on January 24, confirming that the alterations would be implemented on Google Maps as part of a broader directive from the President.

As a result of this shift, US users will now see the "Gulf of America" on their digital maps, while the Gulf of Mexico will remain the official name in Mexico itself. Google Maps, owned by Alphabet Inc., will display both names for users outside the two countries — acknowledging the differing regional and historical perspectives.

This move follows Trump's campaign promises, which included reversing what he and his supporters considered outdated or politically correct geographical names. The renaming of Mount McKinley, a name historically tied to the 25th US President, William McKinley, was also mandated by Trump as part of his pledge to restore US national identity.

According to a statement from the US Department of the Interior, "In accordance with the President's directives, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America, and the highest peak in North America will once again be called Mount McKinley." The renaming of Denali to Mount McKinley comes after a 2015 decision to honour the Indigenous Alaskan name Denali, a change that the Trump administration has now reversed.

The timing of the change aligns with Trump's broader vision for a more assertive American identity and regional dominance. This shift will also be evident in Google Maps, the dominant map platform owned by Alphabet Inc., which will incorporate both names for users globally.

Interestingly, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum recently made waves by jokingly suggesting that North America, including the United States, be renamed "Mexican America." She referenced a historical map from early exploration times, where the name was used for the region, but her comment was widely understood as lighthearted and not a serious proposal.

Meanwhile, the US continues to focus on geopolitical shifts, especially in Central America, where the US is increasingly concerned about Chinese influence. Reuters reported that US officials are preparing options to counter China’s growing presence in Panama, especially as Chinese companies secure billions in development contracts for projects near the Panama Canal. US Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Louis Sola is set to present these options in an upcoming Senate committee hearing, emphasizing the importance of supporting US businesses in the region.

"We need to increase support for US companies seeking to do business in Panama and across the Americas. Chinese companies should not be the only bidders," Sola stated in prepared remarks for the Senate Commerce Committee. He pointed out that many Chinese firms have obtained significant infrastructure projects in Panama, some of which are located close to or even on the Panama Canal.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz added, "The United States paid for and built the Panama Canal, but Panama is being unfair to America by ceding control of key infrastructure to China." Sola also addressed the continued viability of the canal, noting that the US has several strategic options to deal with the growing Chinese influence in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova