From the Gulf of America to Fort Bragg, Donald Trump’s latest round of name changes has reignited a fierce debate about history, nationalism, and the power of presidential branding. On his first day back in office, Trump signed orders renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” and restoring the name of Alaska’s Denali to Mount McKinley, reversing a decision made by the Obama administration.

Additionally, Fort Bragg, which had been renamed Fort Liberty under Joe Biden’s administration, has been renamed again, now honoring a lesser-known World War II soldier, Private First Class Roland Bragg.

While Trump is not the first U.S. president to rename landmarks, his choices align with a broader vision of American identity, one that embraces nationalism and a return to historical naming conventions that had been previously altered to reflect a more inclusive perspective. His changes have sparked both applause and outrage, reflecting the deeply polarized state of American politics.

The Politics of Renaming

Presidents have long used their executive power to rename places, often as a way to shape national identity and historical narrative. Barack Obama’s decision to change Mount McKinley’s name to Denali in 2015 honored the wishes of Alaskans and the indigenous Koyukon Athabascans, for whom “Denali” means “The High One.” Trump’s reversal of that decision signals a shift in priorities, favoring a more traditionalist view of American history.

Similarly, Fort Bragg’s renaming follows years of controversy over military bases named after Confederate leaders. In 2023, Biden’s administration changed the name to Fort Liberty as part of a nationwide effort to move away from commemorating Confederate figures.

Trump’s new version of Fort Bragg, which now honors a decorated World War II soldier rather than Confederate General Braxton Bragg, appears to be a compromise—but still underscores his resistance to changes initiated by his predecessors.

Nationalist Themes and Public Response

Trump’s latest moves are seen by many as an effort to instill a more nationalist and expansionist ideology. He has previously floated ideas such as reclaiming the Panama Canal, buying Greenland, and even annexing Canada as a 51st state. His decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico follows that pattern, reinforcing a belief in American dominance—even in geographical nomenclature.

However, public reaction has been mixed. A Marquette University poll found that 71% of Americans opposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico, while only 29% supported it. In Alaska, where the Denali name holds deep cultural significance, opposition to the change has been strong.

A bipartisan coalition in the state legislature passed a resolution urging Trump to reconsider, with Democratic Representative Maxine Dibert arguing that the change “dishonors those who have fought to protect Denali’s legacy and dismisses the voices of Native communities.”

Media and Tech Backlash

The controversy has spilled into the media and tech worlds as well. The Associated Press (AP) was reportedly barred from the White House after refusing to adopt the term “Gulf of America” in its style guide. Google, on the other hand, updated its maps to reflect the new name for U.S. users but has been accused of deleting negative reviews about the change.

A Legacy of Debate

Whether these changes will endure remains to be seen. If history is any guide, future administrations could reverse them yet again. What is clear is that the act of renaming places carries significant weight, shaping how Americans perceive their history and identity.

Political rhetoric expert Allison Prasch believes Trump’s moves go beyond simple rebranding. “This is a fundamentally rhetorical decision about how we think about the story of the nation,” she said.

As the debate over these changes rages on, one thing is certain: the battle over America’s historical identity is far from over.

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