• Federal government announces official name changes for the Gulf of Mexico and Denali.
• Gulf of Mexico is now recognized as the Gulf of America.
• Denali's original designation, Mount McKinley, is restored after previous renaming.
• Name changes are effective immediately for federal use but not internationally recognized.
• Controversy surrounds these changes, reflecting ongoing debates about heritage and geographic naming.

The U.S. federal government has formally executed the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, alongside the reversion of Alaska's Denali back to its original name, Mount McKinley, as announced by the Interior Department. These changes were ordered by President Trump, reflecting a commitment to redefine aspects of American heritage. The press release emphasized that the renaming effort, effective for federal use, aims to ensure that future generations honor the country's historical figures and sites. The New York Times reported that Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has already begun using the new nomenclature in official communication. The Gulf of America name change has sparked a notable dialogue, particularly as it pertains to international recognition. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded humorously, suggesting that North America could be dubbed "Mexican America," a reflection of the shared maritime borders and historical connections both countries hold to the Gulf. According to the CBS News, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names will undertake the update of the Geographic Names Information System to reflect this change. Historically, Mount McKinley was renamed Denali in 2015, acknowledging the name's significance in the Koyukon Indigenous culture. Critics within Congress, including Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, have expressed opposition to the recent decision, reaffirming their stance on the original name. The Interior Department described the changes as a method to "preserve the extraordinary heritage of the United States" in a statement that has drawn both support and criticism from various political circles. As the Hill points out, the implications of these name changes extend beyond mere nomenclature, engaging with deeper themes of identity and representation in America's multifaceted history. Controversy surrounding the modifications continues to highlight the challenges of reconciling different cultural legacies within a single geographic narrative.