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The FAA’s Update: Renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali
On January 27, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it would update its aeronautical charts and data to reflect two significant name changes: the Gulf of Mexico will now be referred to as the "Gulf of America," and Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America, will revert to its former name, "Mount McKinley." This decision aligns with a broader effort by the Trump administration to "restore names that honor American greatness," as outlined in Executive Order 14172. The changes are part of a directive to update federal maps, documents, and aeronautical products to reflect these new designations. While the FAA’s updates are targeted for the next publication cycle, the renaming has already sparked debate across the country, with supporters and critics weighing in on the significance and implications of these changes.
Trump’s Vision: Restoring American Greatness
The push to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali is rooted in President Donald Trump’s vision of "restoring American greatness." Since before his second term, Trump had floated the idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," arguing that the change reflects U.S. influence and ownership over the region. On his first day in office, he signed Executive Order 14172, which mandated the renaming of both the Gulf and the mountain. The administration framed these changes as part of a broader effort to reclaim and celebrate American heritage, emphasizing national pride and sovereignty.
The renaming of Mount Denali, however, has proven particularly contentious. Originally named Mount McKinley in 1917 to honor President William McKinley, the mountain was renamed Denali in 2015 by President Barack Obama. Denali, which means "the great one" in the Athabascan language, is the name traditionally used by Alaska’s Indigenous Koyukon Athabascans. Trump’s decision to revert to Mount McKinley has drawn criticism from Alaska’s political leaders and Indigenous communities, who view the change as a dismissal of Native American history and cultural significance.
The Gulf of America: A New Name for a Familiar Body of Water
The Gulf of Mexico, a body of water shared by the United States and Mexico, has been officially renamed the "Gulf of America" in U.S. federal documents and maps. The first indication of this change came in early January 2024, when Trump announced the decision, describing the new name as "beautiful" and emphasizing U.S. influence in the region. He argued that the change reflects America’s predominant role in the Gulf’s activities, such as economic and environmental efforts.
The rebranding has already begun to take effect. Google Maps users in the U.S. are expected to see the updated name, though at the time of writing, the change had not yet been implemented. However, the Gulf of Mexico name will still be used in Mexican versions of Google Maps, and international users will see both names displayed side by side. Florida became the first state to officially adopt the new name when Governor Ron DeSantis used "Gulf of America" in an emergency declaration ahead of a winter storm. Trump has also declared February 9 as "Gulf of America Day," further cementing the rebranding effort.
Mount McKinley: A Name Steeped in History and Controversy
Mount Denali, now officially known as Mount McKinley, stands as North America’s tallest peak at over 20,000 feet. The mountain’s naming has been a point of contention for decades. Originally named Mount McKinley in 1917 to honor President William McKinley, who was assassinated in 1901, the name was changed to Denali in 2015 during Obama’s presidency. The name Denali, which means "the great one" in the Athabascan language, was restored as a nod to Alaska’s Indigenous communities, who had used the name for generations.
Trump’s decision to revert to Mount McKinley has been met with strong opposition from Alaska’s leaders, including Senator Lisa Murkowski, who expressed her disagreement on social media. Murkowski argued that Denali is the "rightful name" given by the Koyukon Athabascans and emphasized the importance of preserving Indigenous heritage. On the other hand, supporters of the change, such as Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, have praised Trump for honoring American history and identity. The debate over the name highlights the complex interplay between cultural preservation, national pride, and political symbolism.
Public Reaction: Praise, Criticism, and Questions About the Future
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali has sparked a wave of reactions across the political spectrum. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who introduced a bill to officially change the Gulf’s name, has been a vocal supporter of the effort. Greene argued that the Gulf of America is the "rightful name" and called on the world to adopt the new designation, saying, "It’s our gulf. We do most of the work there, and it’s ours." Her bill, introduced on January 9, 2024, requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to update all documents and maps within 180 days.
However, not everyone shares Greene’s enthusiasm. Critics, including Alaska’s Indigenous leaders and Democratic lawmakers, have criticized the changes as culturally insensitive and politically motivated. They argue that renaming Denali erases the historical and cultural significance of the name given by Native Alaskans. Senator Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, joined in the criticism, stating that Denali is the name "bestowed by Alaska’s Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial."
The controversy has also raised questions about the future of these name changes. Some worry that the new designations may be short-lived, as future administrations could reverse them. Greene herself expressed concerns that Democrats might "wipe out" the changes if Congress does not act quickly to codify them. Regardless of the political back-and-forth, the renaming has reignited conversations about national identity, cultural heritage, and the power of naming in shaping public perception.
What’s Next: Implementation and Implications
The FAA’s charting notice signals the next step in implementing Trump’s executive order. While the exact timeline for the updates is unclear, the changes are expected to appear in the next publication cycle of aeronautical products. In the meantime, the rebranding of the Gulf of Mexico has already begun to take hold in some official contexts, with Florida leading the way. However, the broader implications of these changes remain to be seen.
For now, the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali serves as a powerful example of how political decisions can reshape cultural and geographic landscapes. Whether these changes will stand the test of time or be reversed by future administrations remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the debate over names like "Gulf of America" and "Mount McKinley" reflects deeper tensions between national pride, cultural preservation, and political identity in America. As the conversation continues, one thing is undeniable: the power of a name to inspire, divide, and define a nation.
