WASHINGTON, USA — Google has announced that it will update Google Maps to reflect President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
The tech giant stated that the change aligns with its long-standing practice of updating geographical names in accordance with official government sources.
The modification will take effect once the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)—a federal database that records official place names—is updated.
A Controversial Executive Order
The renaming was part of an executive action signed by Trump shortly after taking office for his second term, which aims to “honour American greatness.”
“It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes,” the order stated.
The decision has already drawn sharp reactions, particularly from Mexico and other Latin American nations that border the Gulf.
Critics argue that the body of water, which is internationally recognized as the Gulf of Mexico, cannot be unilaterally renamed by the United States.
Denali to Return to Mount McKinley
In addition to renaming the Gulf of Mexico, Trump’s executive order also mandates restoring the name Mount McKinley to the nation’s highest peak in Alaska.
The mountain was renamed Denali by former President Barack Obama in 2015, a move meant to honor Alaska’s Indigenous communities.
Trump’s order calls Obama’s renaming “an affront to President McKinley’s life, his achievements, and his sacrifice.”
The document draws parallels between McKinley and Trump, noting that the 25th president championed tariffs and was assassinated in an attack on our Nation’s values and our success.
Google’s Role in Implementing the Changes
Google clarified that the new names will be visible only to users within the United States, following its policy of displaying locally recognized names.
“When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name,” Google explained in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too.”
This means that outside the U.S., Google Maps users will continue to see Gulf of Mexico and Denali, while within the U.S., the names Gulf of America and Mount McKinley will appear.
Backlash and Diplomatic Reactions
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico has already sparked diplomatic pushback.
Mexican officials have denounced the move, calling it a violation of historical and geographic conventions.
“We reject this unilateral attempt to rewrite history,” Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena said in a statement.
“The Gulf of Mexico is not the property of any one country, and its name reflects centuries of shared geography and culture.”
Environmental groups have also expressed concern that the renaming could signal a shift in U.S. policy toward expanding offshore drilling and deregulating environmental protections in the region.
The Alaskan Indigenous community, which had celebrated the restoration of Denali’s name in 2015, also voiced its opposition.
“Denali is our name, and it has been for thousands of years,” said Aaron Leggett, president of the Native Village of Eklutna.
“Changing it back to McKinley disrespects the very people who have lived in its shadow for generations.”
What’s Next?
The renaming process will take effect gradually as federal agencies update their maps and documents.
Google has not provided an exact timeline for when the changes will appear on Google Maps but confirmed that they are in progress.
As the Trump administration moves forward with its geographic revisions, legal and diplomatic challenges may complicate the implementation of these controversial changes.
